Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

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 ensure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess each of 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 contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Mount Cook rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

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

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.