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 must make sure 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are 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 contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. 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 listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon require a reliable heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having 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’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.