Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Akina 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Akina, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Akina rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Akina

Rental properties in Akina require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Akina

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes 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 an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Akina

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Akina include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.