The five Healthy Homes Standards, and what to do if your rental doesn't meet them
Every rental property in New Zealand must meet the Healthy Homes Standards unless a specific exemption applies — meeting them is your landlord’s responsibility and cost.
The five standards at a glance
- Heating — one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room, of an acceptable type, meeting the calculated minimum heating capacity for that room
- Insulation — ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting the required levels, compulsory in all rentals since 1 July 2019
- Ventilation — every liveable space must have a window or door opening outside that can be fixed open; kitchens and bathrooms must also have an extractor fan
- Moisture and drainage — efficient drainage, guttering and downpipes, and a ground moisture barrier where there is an enclosed subfloor
- Draught stopping — unreasonable gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors that cause noticeable draughts must be blocked
Does my landlord have to provide a heater?
Yes — a fixed heater in the main living room, sized to the room. Two details catch people out. It must be fixed, so a plug-in portable heater does not satisfy the standard. And it must meet a calculated minimum capacity based on the size and construction of that particular living room — a small heat pump in a large, poorly insulated lounge may not comply even though a heater is present. Tenancy Services publishes a free Heating Assessment Tool that calculates the required capacity for a specific room. The standard applies to the main living room only — bedrooms are not covered.
The ventilation requirement people get wrong
Windows and extractor fans are two separate requirements, not alternatives. Every liveable space needs an openable window or door to the outside that can be fixed in the open position. Separately, kitchens and bathrooms must have an extractor fan venting moisture outside. A kitchen with a window but no extractor fan does not comply — this is the most common misunderstanding and one of the most common genuine breaches.
How do I find out whether my rental complies?
Two routes, and you are entitled to both. 1. The compliance statement. Every new, renewed or varied tenancy agreement must include a signed statement setting out the property’s current level of compliance with each standard. If it’s missing, the landlord may face a penalty of up to $500 for that tenancy. 2. A direct request. You can ask your landlord for information about how the property complies. They must provide it within 21 days. Put it in writing and keep a copy. Landlords must also keep records demonstrating compliance — assessments, invoices, product specifications. A landlord who cannot produce anything is usually a landlord who hasn’t done the work.
What if my rental doesn't comply?
Work through this in order:
- Put it in writing. Name the specific standard, with photos and dates. Reference the compliance statement in your agreement if it contradicts what you’re seeing.
- Give a reasonable deadline. Two to three weeks is normally reasonable for non-urgent compliance work.
- Issue a 14-day notice to remedy. Tenancy Services publishes the approved form.
- Apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. It can order the work done and award compensation. Applications are designed to be made without a lawyer.
Do not withhold rent. It will not force compliance, it puts you in breach, and it will damage your position at the Tribunal even where the landlord is clearly in the wrong.
What a non-compliant landlord risks
Failing to meet the standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and may attract financial penalties of up to $7,200. Failing to include a compliance statement carries a penalty of up to $500 per tenancy. Those figures are worth knowing — they are usually more persuasive in a written request than any amount of argument.
When the standards don't apply
Some properties or parts of properties are exempt — for example where a landlord has taken all reasonable steps but physical constraints make a standard impossible to meet, or where the property is to be demolished or substantially rebuilt. Exemptions are specific and time-limited, not general. If your landlord claims an exemption, ask which one, in writing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five Healthy Homes Standards in New Zealand?
Heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.
Does a rental in New Zealand have to have a heat pump?
No. The standard requires one or more fixed heaters of an acceptable type that can heat the main living room to the required capacity. A heat pump is a common way to meet it, not a requirement.
Can I ask my landlord to prove the property is Healthy Homes compliant?
Yes. You can request compliance information and the landlord must provide it within 21 days. New, renewed or varied tenancy agreements must also include a signed compliance statement.
What is the fine for breaching the Healthy Homes Standards?
Up to $7,200 for breaching the standards, and up to $500 per tenancy for failing to include a compliance statement.
Do bedrooms have to be heated under the Healthy Homes Standards?
No. The heating standard applies to the main living room only.