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 in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.