Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Brooklyn rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.