Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person 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 Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Brooklyn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Brooklyn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.