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 of July 2021? 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 rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Mount Cook rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook require a reliable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.