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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Brooklyn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Brooklyn, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Brooklyn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Brooklyn rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Brooklyn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brooklyn

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door 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 healthy homes

Heating Brooklyn

Brooklyn rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brooklyn

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Brooklyn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brooklyn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and 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 the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brooklyn

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Brooklyn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brooklyn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.