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 must ensure that their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Eskdale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Eskdale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable 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, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Eskdale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the household to retain heat.

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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Standard in Eskdale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.