Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within 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 dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

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

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the 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 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

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

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.