Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Eastbourne rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.