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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Eskdale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Eskdale, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Eskdale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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.

Contact us now to discuss having a Eskdale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eskdale

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Eskdale

Eskdale rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eskdale

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eskdale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Eskdale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eskdale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.