Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

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 make sure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or 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 property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given 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 the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

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 likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Brooklyn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Brooklyn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.