Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 as Draught-stopping within Avalon rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon must have a fixed 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 minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices 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 may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• 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 the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.