Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as 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 as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.