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 make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for 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 so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Mount Cook rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.