Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

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 now have to make sure that their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Eskdale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Eskdale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Eskdale

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Eskdale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent 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 Eskdale

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.