Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and 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

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Breaker Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.