Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. 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 check during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.