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 are now required to ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess 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 for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy 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 all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Breaker Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current 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 well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of 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 interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.