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 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 any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.