Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Eskdale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Eskdale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor 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 interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eskdale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.