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 of July 2021? The 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check 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 about the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Breaker Bay, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Breaker Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Breaker Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Breaker Bay

Breaker Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Breaker Bay

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Breaker Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Breaker Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes 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 maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Breaker Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Breaker Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Breaker Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.