Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Akina rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Akina, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Akina rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Akina Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

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 and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Akina

Akina rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Akina

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Akina include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.