Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs 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 comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s 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 other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely 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 associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Breaker Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the 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 just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to 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 Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.