Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.