Healthy Homes Standards NZ — what every rental property must have
Healthy Homes Standards 2019Updated April 2026⚡ Live legislation content
The five standards
All private rental properties must comply with five Healthy Homes Standards: Heating (fixed heater of required capacity), Insulation (ceiling and underfloor), Ventilation (extractor fans and windows), Moisture and drainage, and Draught stopping.
Compliance is already required
All private landlords should already be compliant — the July 2025 deadline has passed. Non-compliance is an unlawful act under the RTA. The Tenancy Tribunal can order remediation and award up to $4,000 exemplary damages per breach.
1. Heating standard
At least one fixed heating device capable of heating the main living room to 18°C on the coldest day. Required capacity is calculated by floor area, ceiling height, windows, and insulation. Portable heaters do not qualify.
2. Insulation standard
Ceiling insulation to R2.9 (R3.3 in some southern regions) and underfloor to R1.3 where accessible. Existing insulation in acceptable condition can be retained even if below new R-values.
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All five standards must be met — not just heating
Every standard must be met independently. A property with excellent insulation but no compliant heating fails the standards. Compliance statements must accurately reflect the actual status of all five.
Your property management team gets Healthy Homes questions daily.
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Every habitable room needs openable windows/skylights of at least 5% of floor area. Kitchens and bathrooms need external extraction fans. A rangehood venting externally is sufficient for kitchens.
4. Moisture and drainage
Efficient groundwater drainage, and a ground moisture barrier in underfloor spaces with bare earth. No significant mould or moisture issues.
5. Draught stopping
Unreasonable gaps causing draughts must be blocked. Includes gaps around doors, windows, floors, and ceilings. Unused fireplaces need closable flues.
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Compliance statements must be accurate
All new or renewed tenancy agreements must include a specific Healthy Homes compliance statement — not just a checkbox. A false statement is an unlawful act under the RTA.
Common questions
Non-compliance is an unlawful act. The Tenancy Tribunal can order the landlord to remedy the breach, pay up to $4,000 exemplary damages per breach, and award rent reduction for the non-compliant period.
Yes — with separate compliance timelines and some variations in how standards are calculated. Contact Tenancy Services for boarding house-specific guidance.
Not necessarily. The heat pump must be capable of heating the main living room to 18°C based on a specific capacity calculation. An undersized pump may not meet the standard.
No. Compliance costs are entirely the landlord's responsibility and cannot be passed to tenants through compliance-related rent increases.
Tenancy Services inspectors can assess compliance. Many landlords commission independent assessments as evidence. There is no requirement to use a specific assessor.
What happens when staff ask this question at 11pm?
"Does our property on Maple Street meet the heating standard? I need to check before the inspection."
Property manager — 4pm Friday before a Monday inspection