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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Eastbourne rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.