Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Brooklyn rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance 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 Stopping on Brooklyn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.