Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Akina rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Akina, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Akina rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Akina

Akina rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Akina

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Akina

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Akina include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.