Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Avalon rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.