Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional 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.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Avalon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Avalon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.