Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Akina rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Akina

Rental properties in Akina require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Akina

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Akina

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Akina Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Akina

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Akina include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.