Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed 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 meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Avalon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Avalon rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 (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 interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.