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 their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 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 tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Mount Cook rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient 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 a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.