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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any 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.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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 items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Avalon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Avalon rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Avalon include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.