Healthy Homes Standards Compliance for Landlords

New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Standards are now law for rental properties. As of 1 July 2025, all private rentals must comply with these minimum requirements. Landlords who don’t meet the standards can face penalties up to $7,200. More importantly, the rules exist to ensure renters have warm, dry homes – a big improvement given rental housing has traditionally been colder and mouldier than owner-occupied homes, contributing to poor health outcomes.

What Are the Healthy Homes Standards?

There are five key areas every rental property must meet:

• Heating: The main living room must have a fixed, efficient heater capable of maintaining at least 18°C in winter. (Portable heaters don’t count.) The heater(s) must be of an approved type and produce enough heat for the size of the space.
• Insulation: Adequate ceiling and underfloor insulation is required. Insulation has been compulsory since 2019, but the Healthy Homes insulation standard might require landlords to top up or replace older insulation that no longer meets the minimum R-value.
• Ventilation: All living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchens must have at least one window or opening skylight that can open to the outdoors meeting a minumum of 5% of the room's floor area. In addition, kitchens and bathrooms need externally vented extractor fans to remove steam and moisture.
• Moisture & Drainage: The property must have effective drainage – gutters, downpipes and proper stormwater runoff to remove water. If the house has an enclosed subfloor space, a moisture barrier (plastic sheeting on the ground) is required to prevent damp rising into the home.
• Draught Stopping: Any unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, doors, windows, floors or ceilings must be blocked to prevent cold draughts. Open fireplaces not in use must be closed off. Essentially, you shouldn’t feel a noticeable draught in a Healthy Home.

Tips for Landlords to Comply

Now that the final 2025 compliance date has arrived, make sure your rental meets all five standards. Include a Healthy Homes compliance statement in every new or renewed tenancy agreement (this is legally required), and keep records (receipts, certificates, photos) to prove each standard is met. If you’re not sure where to start or what’s left to do, check out the official Healthy Homes checklist for landlords on the Tenancy Services website – it breaks down the requirements in detail.

Remember, investing in these upgrades benefits you too: a warmer, drier house is less likely to suffer mould damage or require expensive maintenance down the line, and tenants are more likely to stay longer in a home that’s healthy to live in.

If you need a hand with compliance, we’re here to help. Contact us to arrange a Healthy Homes assessment – we can identify any gaps in your rental and advise you on practical steps to get your property up to standard, ensuring you meet your obligations with confidence.