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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the 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 and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire 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 moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.