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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect 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 leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Akina, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Akina rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Akina rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Akina

Akina rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Akina

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Akina

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the 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 that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Akina include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.