Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Breaker Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.