Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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 done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll 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 safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.