Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate 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 of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description 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 homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.