Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 must 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.