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 now have to ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house 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

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Brooklyn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended 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 have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Brooklyn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher 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, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.