Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

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 are now required to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a 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 cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.