Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Avalon 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 completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both 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 work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Avalon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Avalon rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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 in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is 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 must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.