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 their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Brooklyn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient 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 a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.