Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

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

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Avalon, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Avalon rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up 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 in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.