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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

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 health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Brooklyn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be 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 entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.