Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rental properties must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to 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 and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Avalon, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Avalon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded 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 requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on 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 may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to hold 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 higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and 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 regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.