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 July 2021? Landlords must 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

Start now and call about the Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.