Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if 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 adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

One in three households in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Mount Cook rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Mount Cook

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.