Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 that are 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners 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 identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Brooklyn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Brooklyn rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire 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

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 Healthy Homes Standards. 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 many concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.