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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Breaker Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are 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 contract is signed on a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Breaker Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower 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, as well as Draught-stopping within Breaker Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see 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 permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Breaker Bay

Rental properties in Breaker Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.