Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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 tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. 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 that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 – The rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.