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 are now required to make sure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Brooklyn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard 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 be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.