Healthy Homes Assessment Breaker Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Breaker Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of 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 healthy houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended 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 in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of 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 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must 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 those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.