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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for 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 may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more 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 closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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