Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over 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 in Brooklyn rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Brooklyn 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 for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.