Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 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 inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Avalon

Avalon rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Avalon

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the 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; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Avalon

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.