Healthy Homes Assessment Brooklyn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Brooklyn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Brooklyn

Rental properties in Brooklyn should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.