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? Landlords now have to make sure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and provide the 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Mount Cook rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.