Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the 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, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.