Healthy Homes Standards

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their properties meet the Healthy Homes Standards and for ongoing maintenance required to maintain these standards. Below, we have briefly outlined the Healthy Homes Standards for both landlords and tenants to be aware of.

Healthy Homes Standards were introduced into New Zealand law in 2019 to set minimum requirements for rental properties, ensuring tenants are living in warm and dry homes. 

The Healthy Homes Standards consist of the following elements: 

• Insulation: Underfloor (where accessible) and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes. The requirements vary depending on the home’s location; for example, the South Island has higher insulation requirements than the North Island. 

• Ventilation: Each livable space must have a door or window that opens to the outside and can be fixed in place. Any bathroom or kitchen must also have an externally vented extractor fan. 

• Draught stopping: There must not be any unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, or doors. 

• Heating: The main living area of the house must have at least one heating source, and it must be able to adequately heat the space, in line with the Healthy Homes Standards. 

• Moisture ingress and drainage: Rentals must have efficient downpipes, guttering, and drainage to remove water. If there is an enclosed sub-floor, there must also be a ground moisture barrier. 

All rental properties must comply with these standards by 1st July 2025 before they can be listed for rent, and there will no longer be a 120-day grace period to meet the Healthy Homes Standards between or during tenancies after this date. A detailed list of compliance timeframes can be found on the Tenancy Services website here. Please refer here for a list of exemptions to the Healthy Homes Standards. 

If you have any questions about the Healthy Homes Standards, please visit the Tenancy Services website or contact Click’s office at 03 466 7783.