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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is 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) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 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

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.