Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.