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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Breaker Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements 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 within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of 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 through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.