Healthy Homes
Standards
Since 1 July 2025, all rental properties in New Zealand must fully comply with the six Healthy Homes Standards. Here's what you need to know — and how we manage it for you.
What Are the Healthy Homes Standards?
The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of minimum requirements for rental properties in New Zealand, introduced under the Residential Tenancies Act. They are designed to ensure that all rental homes are warm, dry, and safe to live in.
The standards became fully mandatory for all private landlords on 1 July 2025. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties of up to $4,000 per breach — and landlords can face multiple breaches at once.
At Better Residential, we manage Healthy Homes compliance as part of our standard service. We work with certified specialists to assess your property, identify any gaps, and coordinate all remediation work — so you never have to worry about it.
Important: Compliance is Mandatory
All private landlords must comply with all six Healthy Homes Standards. Providing a Healthy Homes compliance statement is also a legal requirement in every new Tenancy Agreement. Failure to comply can result in significant financial penalties and Tenancy Tribunal orders.
What Your Property Must Meet
Heating
A fixed heater capable of heating the main living room to at least 18°C.
- A fixed heater (heat pump, wood burner, or flued gas heater) must be installed in the main living room
- The heater must have a minimum heating capacity of 1.5 kW
- Portable heaters, unflued gas heaters, and open fires do not meet the standard
- The required capacity is calculated based on the room's size, insulation level, and climate zone (Auckland is Zone 1)
Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting minimum R-value requirements.
- Ceiling insulation: minimum R2.9 in Auckland (Zone 1)
- Underfloor insulation: minimum R1.3 where reasonably practicable
- Existing insulation that is in reasonable condition may be retained if it meets the minimum R-value
- A signed insulation statement must be included in every Tenancy Agreement
Ventilation
Extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and openable windows in all habitable rooms.
- Extractor fans must be installed in all kitchens and bathrooms, venting to the outside
- All habitable rooms must have openable windows or doors with a total area of at least 5% of the floor area
- Kitchens must have an openable window or extractor fan above the cooking area
- Bathrooms and toilets must have an openable window or extractor fan
Moisture & Drainage
Efficient drainage and a ground moisture barrier in enclosed sub-floor spaces.
- The property must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water
- Where there is an enclosed sub-floor space, a ground moisture barrier must be installed where reasonably practicable
- The ground moisture barrier must cover at least 75% of the ground in the sub-floor space
- Any existing drainage issues (blocked gutters, leaking pipes) must be addressed
Draught Stopping
All unreasonable gaps in walls, ceilings, floors, and around windows and doors must be stopped.
- All unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, floors, and around windows and doors must be draught-stopped
- Gaps around pipes, chimneys, and other penetrations must be sealed
- Unused fireplaces must be blocked or sealed
- Gaps under exterior doors must be addressed where they allow unreasonable draughts
Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms within 3 metres of every bedroom and on every level of the property.
- A working smoke alarm must be installed within 3 metres of every bedroom door
- At least one smoke alarm must be on every level of the property
- When replacing smoke alarms, long-life (10-year) photoelectric alarms must be used
- Landlords are responsible for ensuring smoke alarms are working at the start of each tenancy
- Tenants are responsible for replacing batteries during the tenancy (unless the alarm has a sealed battery)
We Handle Healthy Homes
Compliance for You
Staying on top of Healthy Homes compliance is one of the most time-consuming aspects of being a landlord. As your property manager, we take full responsibility for ensuring your property meets all six standards — from initial assessment through to ongoing monitoring.
Assessment
We arrange a comprehensive Healthy Homes assessment through our certified specialist network.
Remediation
We coordinate and manage any work required — heating, insulation, ventilation, and more.
Ongoing Compliance
We monitor compliance and ensure your property remains compliant throughout every tenancy.