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 effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Mount Cook rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 remainder of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. 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 cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.