Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , 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, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with 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 such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.