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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely 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 tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Breaker Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.