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 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much 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 may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items 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, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.