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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Breaker Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.