Healthy Homes Standards NZ Checklist 2026 – Compliance Guide for Property Managers
As of April 2026, the Healthy Homes Standards (introduced under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 via the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019) are fully enforceable for all rental properties in New Zealand. This guide provides a comprehensive compliance checklist for frontline managers and staff, covering exact requirements, deadlines, and practical steps to ensure your portfolio meets the law.
Key deadline reminder: All private rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards by 1 July 2025 (for new or renewed tenancies) and 1 July 2024 for all tenancies. For Housing New Zealand (HNZ) and Community Housing Providers (CHPs), compliance was required by 1 July 2023. As of April 2026, all properties must be fully compliant.
1. Heating (Regulation 6–8)
The heating standard requires a fixed heater that can maintain at least 18°C in the main living room. The heater must have a minimum capacity of 2 kW (or be appropriately sized for the room). Acceptable heaters include heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners, flued gas heaters, or electric heaters (fixed). Unflued gas heaters and portable heaters do not comply.
- Heater must be fixed (not portable).
- Capacity calculated using the Heating Assessment Tool (provided by MBIE).
- Must be in good working order and safe.
2. Insulation (Regulation 9–12)
Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet minimum R-values:
- Ceiling insulation: Minimum R-value of R2.9 for most of New Zealand (zones 1–3). For zone 3 (Central Otago, Southland), minimum R3.3.
- Underfloor insulation: Minimum R-value of R1.3 (all zones).
- Insulation must be in reasonable condition, installed correctly, and not damaged or damp.
- Properties built after 1 July 2016 are exempt if they already meet the Building Code at the time of construction.
3. Ventilation (Regulation 13–16)
All rental properties must have adequate ventilation:
- Extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms (must vent to the outside).
- Kitchen fan must have a minimum capacity of 50 litres per second (or 25 L/s if recirculating).
- Bathroom fan must have a minimum capacity of 25 litres per second.
- Windows in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens must be openable and have a minimum openable area of at least 5% of the floor area.
4. Moisture Ingress and Drainage (Regulation 17–19)
Properties must have effective drainage to prevent moisture entering the home:
- Guttering, downpipes, and drains must be in good repair and free of blockages.
- Ground moisture must be managed — a ground moisture barrier (e.g., polythene sheet) must be installed under all suspended floors (if accessible).
- Damp-proofing must be in place where required by the Building Code.
5. Draught Stopping (Regulation 20–22)
All unreasonable gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors must be sealed to prevent draughts:
- Gaps larger than 3 mm must be filled or blocked.
- Fireplaces that are not in use must be blocked off (e.g., with a damper or cover).
- Openable windows must have weather stripping or similar to prevent draughts.
Compliance Timeline Recap
| Landlord Type | Deadline |
|---|
| Private landlords (new/renewed tenancies) | 1 July 2025 |
| Private landlords (all tenancies) | 1 July 2024 |
| HNZ / Community Housing Providers | 1 July 2023 |
As of April 2026, all properties must be fully compliant. Non-compliance can result in penalties up to $7,200 and potential liability for exemplary damages.
Practical Tips for Property Managers
- Use the Healthy Homes Standards Compliance Statement (form available on Tenancy Services website) for each new tenancy.
- Keep records of all inspections, installations, and certifications.
- Train staff to identify common non-compliance issues (e.g., missing underfloor insulation, unflued gas heaters).
Staff can ask ShiftScript questions like this and get the answer cited from their own uploaded policies — shiftscript.nz/portal/
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install a heat pump if the property already has a wood burner?
Yes, if the wood burner does not meet the minimum heating capacity (2 kW or sufficient to heat the main living room to 18°C). You must use the Heating Assessment Tool to confirm.
What if my property has no underfloor access?
If the underfloor space is inaccessible (e.g., concrete slab), you are exempt from the underfloor insulation requirement. However, you must still meet all other standards.
Can I use a portable heater to comply?
No. The heating standard requires a fixed heater. Portable heaters do not comply.
What happens if I don't comply by the deadline?
You may face a penalty of up to $7,200 from the Tenancy Tribunal, and tenants can claim exemplary damages of up to $7,200 for non-compliance.
Need to check your policies against the Healthy Homes Standards?
ShiftScript lets your team ask questions and get instant answers from your own uploaded policies — including compliance checklists, maintenance procedures, and tenancy agreements. Try it free.
Get started at shiftscript.nz/portal/
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install a heat pump if the property already has a wood burner?
Yes, if the wood burner does not meet the minimum heating capacity (2 kW or sufficient to heat the main living room to 18°C). You must use the Heating Assessment Tool to confirm.
What if my property has no underfloor access?
If the underfloor space is inaccessible (e.g., concrete slab), you are exempt from the underfloor insulation requirement. However, you must still meet all other standards.
Can I use a portable heater to comply?
No. The heating standard requires a fixed heater. Portable heaters do not comply.
What happens if I don't comply by the deadline?
You may face a penalty of up to $7,200 from the Tenancy Tribunal, and tenants can claim exemplary damages of up to $7,200 for non-compliance.