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 must 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 rentals must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Brooklyn rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Brooklyn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.