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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for 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 found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.