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? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss 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 dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space 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 stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.