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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in 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 property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

Start now and call about getting 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 home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

The areas of rental property that are affected through 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 numerous things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.