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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for 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 any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Brooklyn rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Brooklyn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.