Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the 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 within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Avalon, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm 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. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.