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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Brooklyn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Brooklyn rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second 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 that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Brooklyn

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Brooklyn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Brooklyn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.