Healthy Homes Assessment Akina

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Akina rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Akina rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when 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 each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have 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 are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Akina, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Akina rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Akina

Akina rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Akina

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Akina

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to hold the 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 effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Akina include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Akina for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.