Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, 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 property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Brooklyn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Brooklyn rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Brooklyn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Brooklyn

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.