The healthy homes standards introduce specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties. Between 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2025, all private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards within certain timeframes from the start of any new, or renewed, tenancy.

Use the compliance timeframes decision tool to find out when your rental property needs to comply

Some private rentals may have additional time to comply with the heating standard. This will depend on whether the property uses the new heating formula to calculate the required heating capacity for the main living room.

Find out if your home meets the criteria for the new heating formula

All boarding houses must have complied by 1 July 2021. All houses rented by Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must comply by 1 July 2024.

Use the compliance timeframes decision tool to find out when your property needs to comply

Landlords are responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of their rental properties. These standards will help ensure landlords have healthier, safer properties and lower maintenance costs for their investments.

The standards will also make it easier for tenants to keep their homes warm and dry.

View the healthy homes standards key facts [PDF, 388 KB]

This follow information explains what you need to do to ensure your rental property complies with the healthy homes standards including:

• Details of the standards

  • heating standard

  • insulation standard

  • ventilation standard

  • moisture ingress and drainage standard

  • draught stopping standard

• Information on exemptions

• Information on compliance timeframes

• Additions to tenancy agreements 

• Information on record keeping

To keep up to date with important information regarding legislation changes that affect landlords and tenants, including the healthy homes standards, sign up to the Tenancy Matters e-newsletter, or follow Tenancy Services on Facebook .

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and New Zealand based research tells us that our rental stock is poorer quality than owner occupied homes. Research shows a link between cold, damp and mouldy homes and negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as asthma and cardiovascular conditions.

By improving the quality of rental homes, New Zealanders who rent will experience improved health, as well as lower medical costs and lower levels of hospitalisations. Warmer and drier homes are also less likely to have issues with mould or mildew damage, better protecting a landlord’s investment.