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? Landlords must ensure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure 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 arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, 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 if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 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 water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.