Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing 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 Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.