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 ensure that their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Avalon, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during 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 important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Avalon

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Avalon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the home to retain heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.