Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Akina, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Akina rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Akina rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Akina

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Akina

Rental properties in Akina must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Akina

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Akina include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up 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 in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.