Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in 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 are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need seals. 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 these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.