Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in 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 low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.