Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

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? Landlords must make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing 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 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 the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.