Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Avalon rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements 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 that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts 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 check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll 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 under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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 interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. 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 sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.