Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting 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 correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment 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 important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance 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 in Mount Cook rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most 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 wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect 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 your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.