Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a 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?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate 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 with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.