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? Landlords now have to ensure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

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 items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure 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 frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.