Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the 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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end 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 completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside 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 be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

One in three households in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.