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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not 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 consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

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

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.