Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy 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.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Eskdale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower 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, as well as Draught Control in Eskdale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second 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 that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Eskdale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Eskdale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.