Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.