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 must ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured 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.

Begin now by calling about the Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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