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 must make sure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix 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 such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the 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 is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.