Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable 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 company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Eskdale, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Eskdale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Eskdale

Rental properties in Eskdale require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eskdale

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Eskdale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Eskdale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.