Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Mount Cook rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Mount Cook

Mount Cook rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Mount Cook

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms 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 window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Cook

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? 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?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.