Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Avalon rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands 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 efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.