Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Akina rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Akina, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Akina rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Akina rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Akina Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Akina

Akina rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Akina

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Akina

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 rest 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Akina

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Akina include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.