Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required 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 not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Cook rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mount Cook

Rental properties in Mount Cook must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient 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 aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Cook

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Cook include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.