Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements 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 out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an 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 like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.