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 ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

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

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Property rental areas that are affected through 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 variety of concerns to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.