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 in force on July 1, 2021? 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

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 houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Breaker Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.