Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Eskdale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Eskdale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it 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 gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Eskdale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Eskdale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.