Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Avalon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Avalon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Avalon rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Avalon

Rental properties in Avalon should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Avalon

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Avalon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 and 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 what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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 Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.