Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Cook

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Mount Cook rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Mount Cook rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Mount Cook, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Cook rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Mount Cook rental properties.

Start now and call about the Mount Cook Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Cook

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Cook

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Cook

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Cook

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Cook Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Cook

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Cook include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Cook for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.