Ensuring Safe and Comfortable Rental Homes for all New Zealanders
As a landlord or property manager in New Zealand, it’s important to understand the Healthy Homes Standards. As of 1st July 2025 every rental property in NZ must comply with the standards to be rented out.
These standards are aimed at ensuring that rental homes are safe, healthy, and comfortable for tenants. The standards cover various aspects of the home, including insulation, heating, ventilation, and moisture control. At Aspire we have worked hard to ensure that all our properties are compliant.
Insulation and Heating
To comply, landlords must ensure that their rental properties meet specific requirements. For instance, the insulation standard requires that all rental homes have ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the minimum thickness requirement. The heating standard requires landlords to provide an adequate and efficient heating source in the living room, and they must meet certain kW levels, depending on the size of the room.
Draught Stopping
Landlords must also ensure that their rental homes meet the draught stopping standard. This standard requires landlords to identify and block any gaps or holes that could allow air to enter or escape the home. Common areas where draughts occur include around doors and windows, and in the kitchen and dining room areas.
Moisture Ingress, Drainage and Ventilation
The moisture ingress and drainage standard requires landlords to ensure that their rental homes have adequate drainage and moisture control measures in place. This includes ensuring that there is proper ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen, which means there must be an extractor fan in both the bathroom and the kitchen.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
If a landlord or property manager fails to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards, they will face penalties and fines. In addition, tenants can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to have their renewed tenancy agreement amended or cancelled if their rental home does not meet the Healthy Homes Standards.
To help landlords and tenants understand the Healthy Homes Standards, the Tenancy Services website provides detailed information and guidance on how to comply with each standard.
Your property manager can guide you through the standards and help you with compliance. Contact us today if you have any questions about your rental property, and to find out if it complies.
