Healthy Homes Assessment Eskdale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Eskdale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Eskdale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Eskdale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever 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 movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Eskdale

Eskdale rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Eskdale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eskdale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eskdale

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Eskdale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with 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 assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.