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 now have to ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified 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 your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes 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 have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Avalon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in 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 households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier 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 like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 quality.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside 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 should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.