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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs 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 Control in Breaker Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.