Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for 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 within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance 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 Control in Brooklyn rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners 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 the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Check out the complete details of the 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 to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough 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 in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.