Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could 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 home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being 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 requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Avalon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance 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 Control on Avalon rental properties.

Start now and call about the Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower 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 verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 with Health Homes Standard. 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 variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the 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 specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.