Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Akina rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Akina, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Akina rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Akina rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, 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 out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Akina

Rental properties in Akina should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Akina

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Akina include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.