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? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 compliant 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs 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 of 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine 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.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.