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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

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 tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Eskdale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Eskdale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Eskdale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Eskdale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.