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 now have to ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 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 to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Breaker Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.