Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.