Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 fully conforming by the 1st 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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 associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.