Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.