Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 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 requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs 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 within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.