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 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

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

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. 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 myriad of things to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.