Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t 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 are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. 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 houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Eskdale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Eskdale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Eskdale

Eskdale rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Eskdale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire 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 water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Eskdale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.