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 now have to make sure their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in 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 are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person 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 needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Eskdale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 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 source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix 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 are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the 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, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Eskdale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the 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 rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.