Healthy Homes Assessment Avalon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Avalon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Avalon, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Avalon rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Avalon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Avalon

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Avalon

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Avalon

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Avalon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Avalon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the 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 the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Avalon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Avalon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.