Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not 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 are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Mount Cook rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Cook

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.