Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a 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. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease 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 Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult 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 are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about 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 from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.