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 ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the 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 incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

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, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain heat.

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

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

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

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

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.