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? The 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 in compliance by July 1st 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 to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement 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 is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by the 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.