Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Eskdale 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Eskdale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Eskdale rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of 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 the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Eskdale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of 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, 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home 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 rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.