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 now have to make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised 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 bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Avalon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 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 and mental wellbeing.

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

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the house 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 is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.