Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied 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 meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting 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 The Healthy Homes Standard 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 check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.