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 effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when 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 comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so 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 should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Mount Cook rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.