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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.