Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 relevant fines.

Our company is fully 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and 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 considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the household to retain heat.

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 resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.