Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

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

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing 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 portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.