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 make sure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Breaker Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require 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 to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.