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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces 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 closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.