Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Eskdale tenants and landlords can get their rental home peace of mind
Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one 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 included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Eskdale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded 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 requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Eskdale rental properties.

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

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How Other People Rate Us

This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
When will I require to meet my Healthy Homes Standards?

Eskdale Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies signed beginning on 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2021

  • Underfloor and ceiling insulation is compulsory in all Eskdale and New Zealand rental homes where it is reasonably practicable to install.
  • A Healthy Homes Intent to Comply Statement as well as an Insulation Statement, and an Insurance Statement should be included with any renewed, new or modified tenancy agreement.
  • Landlords and property managers must keep records that demonstrate conformance with each Healthy Homes Standard that apply or will apply throughout the tenancy period of an apartment rental.

From 1 July 2021

  • Private landlords and property managers should make sure their rental properties comply according to Healthy Homes Standard within 90 days of any new, renewed , or altered Tenancy.
  • All boarding households (except Kainga Ora and registered Community Housing Provider boarder household tenancies) must adhere to the Healthy Homes Standard regardless of when the tenancy began.

From 1 July 2023

  • All houses that are rented out by Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must meet the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of the date the tenancy was started.

Beginning 1 July 2024

  • All rentals homes must comply with the Healthy Homes Standard regardless of the time of the first day of tenancy.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on 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 provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

building ventilation inspections
building insulation inspection
A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eskdale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

  • Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
  • Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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 water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

moisture ingress and drainage inspection
rental home assessments
Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

The areas of rental property that are affected with The 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 things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

  • Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
  • Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
  • Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
  • Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
  • Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.

home assessments for rental properties

Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale Hawkes Bay Region 4182

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors, we take on all components of professional house inspections. We are there to ensure that you make the best decision when purchasing your next property.

We are serious about your investment, and undertake detailed examinations to make sure you don’t receive any expensive or unwelcome expenses, which means you can relax and focus on the fun aspects of purchasing or owning a house.

We specialise in a variety of services to ensure that you are completely informed about the condition of any property you might be considering buying or selling and also other solutions.

We don’t just work with you , but we also work with some major clients, including local councils, banks, and insurance firms. Evidently they are pleased with their peace of mind provided, because of the information contained that we offer in our reports of building inspections.

Our systematic approach to inspecting your property and the latest in technology for software including digital photos imbedded into your Report, you can actually see any issues that may be discovered. Because of our detailed reporting it is no wonder that we receive so many clients who recommend our service to family members and friends.

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Comprehensive Building Assessments

  • Pre Purchase & Pre Sale Reports
  • Building Condition Reports
  • Healthy Homes Assessments
  • General Consultancy
  • Handover Reports
  • Asbestos Compliance
  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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