Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for 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 can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block 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 household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.