Healthy homes standards

See more details about compliance timeframes on the Tenancy Services website(external link)

The heating standard was amended in May 2022, to reflect the fact that new homes built or renovated to the 2008 building code requirements for insulation, glazing and some apartments have higher thermal performance. The changes mean that smaller heaters are generally sufficient to provide the warmth required in such types of homes.

To work out what size heater is needed, landlords can use Tenancy Services’ heating assessment tool.(external link)(external link) 

To meet the heating standard landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room in a rental property. Heaters can’t be an open fire or an unflued gas heater, they must be fixed and not portable.

In most cases, acceptable heaters include a heat pump (if it has a thermostat), wood burner, pellet burner, or flued gas heater. In some cases, such as in small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be enough.

Find out more about the heating standard - Tenancy Services.(external link)

Ceiling and underfloor insulation are compulsory in all rental homes where it's possible to be installed. 

The healthy homes standards split New Zealand into three climate zones and each zone has different insulation requirements. See the zones on Tenancy Services.(external link)(external link)

Insulation requirements are measured by R-value, which is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. The R-value will be clearly shown on the product packaging. 

Any newly built or renovated property that is compliant with the updated 2021 Building Code insulation requirements will be compliant with the healthy homes insulation standard. Landlords who've installed new insulation since 1 July 2016 are likely to already meet the healthy home's standard if the insulation is in good condition. 

Tenancy Services has an online tool for landlords to calculate if they're likely to need to upgrade or replace their insulation to meet the healthy homes standard. 

Do you need to upgrade your insulation to meet the healthy homes standards? » Tenancy Services (external link)

There are three specific insulation exemptions: 

• Access is impracticable or unsafe. Some areas of some homes may not be safe or practical to reach, due to the design of the house, potential to cause damage, or health and safety reasons. 
• Partial exemption for certain underfloor insulation. If a property has underfloor insulation that was installed when the house was built or converted and is still in reasonable condition it may be exempt. Landlords will need to produce compliance documents like a code compliance certificate or certificate of acceptance. 
• Ceilings and floors with other habitable spaces directly above or below. 

Healthy homes insulation standard » Tenancy Services (external link)

Poor ventilation can lead to mould and dampness problems and be harmful to both a tenant’s health and a landlord’s property. 

To combat mould and dampness caused by poor ventilation, rental homes must have windows that can open in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans., 

The ventilation standard was updated in May 2022 to allow the use of continuous mechanical ventilation which extracts to outside kitchens and bathrooms, if the ventilation system received building consent on or after 1 November 2019. 

Healthy homes ventilation standard » Tenancy Services (external link)

Moisture can be a large source of dampness in a home. Dampness might not only lead to health issues for tenants, but it can also be destructive to property. 

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater. If a rental property has an enclosed sub-floor space, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s possible to do so. If installing a ground moisture barrier isn’t possible, landlords don’t have to install alternative moisture barriers. 

Healthy homes moisture ingress and drainage standard » Tenancy Services (external link)

Fixing draughts can help reduce heating bills for tenants and keep rental properties warm and dry. 

Landlords must make sure their property doesn’t have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors, and doors which cause noticeable draughts. All unused open fireplaces must be closed off or their chimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts. 

Draught stopping standard » Tenancy Services (external link)

Landlords who don’t meet their obligations under the healthy homes standards are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. They may be liable for exemplary damages of up to $7,200.

Breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act » Tenancy Services (external link)(external link)

Most new or renewed tenancy agreements must include a compliance statement that has specific information about the rental’s current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards.

Compliance statement » Tenancy Services (external link)(external link)

Private landlords who start or renew a tenancy between 1 July 2021 and 27 August 2022 must ensure their rental properties meet the healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy.

Private landlords who start or renew a tenancy on or after 28 August 2022 must ensure their rental properties meet healthy homes standards within 120 days of any new or renewed tenancy.

Kāinga Ora and registered Community Housing Providers have until 1 July 2024 to comply.

All private rentals must comply by 1 July 2025.