Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Breaker Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows 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 to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of 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

See the full 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

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

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Rental property areas affected with the 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 numerous things you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.