Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the 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.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards 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 a myriad of things you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. 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 require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.