Healthy Homes Standards: What Landlords Need to Know

The Healthy Homes Standards set the minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in all rental properties across New Zealand.

As a landlord, you are legally responsible for ensuring your property complies with these standards and continues to do so over time. Meeting the standards helps keep tenants warm, dry, and healthy, while protecting your investment from long-term damage.

Why Healthy Homes Standards Matter

More than 600,000 New Zealand households rent their homes. Research shows rentals are often of lower quality than owner-occupied homes, and this can directly affect tenant well-being.

Cold, damp, or poorly insulated homes are linked to:

• Higher rates of respiratory illness
• Mould growth and structural damage
• Increased maintenance and repair costs

By complying with the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords not only improve living conditions but also safeguard their investment.

What Are the Healthy Homes Standards?

1. Heating

• A fixed heater (not portable) must adequately warm the main living room.
• The heater must meet minimum heating capacity requirements and be of an acceptable type.

2. Insulation

• Ceiling and underfloor insulation have been compulsory since 2019.
• Landlords must ensure insulation meets current standards and upgrade/replace if required.

3. Ventilation

• Habitable rooms must have windows or doors that open to the outside.
• Kitchens and bathrooms must have working extractor fans.

4. Moisture Ingress & Drainage

• Properties must have effective gutters, downpipes, and drainage systems.
• Homes with subfloors must include a ground moisture barrier.

5. Draught Stoppin

• noticeable gaps, cracks, and holes in walls, floors, ceilings, windows, or doors must be sealed to stop draughts.

Tenancy Agreement Requirements

All new, renewed, or varied tenancy agreements must include a Healthy Homes Compliance Statement confirming the property’s current compliance.

Failure to provide this may result in penalties of up to $500 per tenancy.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Landlords must keep detailed records proving compliance, including:

• Insulation statements
• Heating calculations
• Receipts & warranties for installations
• Inspection reports

Tenants can request this information at any time, and landlords must provide it within 21 days.

Non-Compliance & Penalties

If your property does not meet the Healthy Homes Standards, you may be in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

This could result in:

• Financial penalties of up to $7,200 per property
• Possible enforcement action

How We Can Help

Not sure if your property is up to standard?
At Ray White Archer McHattie Property Management, we can assist with:

• Healthy Homes inspections and reporting
• Cost-effective upgrade advice
• Access to trusted local contractors
• Ongoing management to keep you compliant long-term

FAQs – Healthy Homes Standards for Landlords

Do all rental properties need to comply?
Yes. Every rental property in New Zealand must meet the Healthy Homes Standards within the compliance timeframes.

How can I check if my rental is compliant?
The best way is to arrange a professional Healthy Homes inspection. Our team can assess your property and provide a compliance report.

Who pays for upgrades to meet the standards?
The landlord is responsible for all costs, including heating, insulation, and ventilation upgrades.

What happens if my tenant requests compliance information?
You must provide the requested documents (e.g., insulation statements, heating reports) within 21 days, or risk penalties.

Can you manage Healthy Homes compliance for me?
Yes. We handle inspections, record-keeping, and contractor arrangements, ensuring your property remains fully compliant.