Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living 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 standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.