What is the Healthy Homes Heating Standard in NZ?

The Healthy Homes Heating Standard requires every rental property's main living room to have a fixed heater capable of maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C, calculated using the Schedule 2 formula and BRANZ ALF 3.5 climate zone data. ALLWISE auto-computes the required kW from the property address and room dimensions.

What R-value do I need for ceiling insulation in NZ?

For BRANZ climate zones 1 and 2 (Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton), the minimum ceiling insulation R-value is R 2.9. For zones 3-6 (Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Invercargill), the minimum is R 3.3. Underfloor insulation must be R 1.3 in all zones.

What is a Tenancy Tribunal evidence pack?

A Tenancy Tribunal evidence pack is a court-defensible compliance record that combines Schedule 2 heating calculations, EXIF/GPS-verified photographic evidence, and SHA-256 cryptographic verification for dispute hearings under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. ALLWISE generates these in under 11 minutes.

Is a heat pump accepted as a fixed heater under HHS?

Yes. A heat pump installed by a qualified technician is accepted as a fixed heater under the Healthy Homes Standards, provided its nameplate heating capacity meets or exceeds the Schedule 2 calculated kW for the room.

How much does a tribunal evidence pack cost in NZ?

ALLWISE generates a complete Tenancy Tribunal evidence pack for a flat fee of $49 NZD with no subscription lock-in. Pro subscription ($49/month) covers up to 25 properties (landlord) or 500 properties (property manager / assessor), and includes the portfolio dashboard and 90-day renewal warnings.

Do existing rental properties need to comply with HHS?

Yes. From 1 July 2019, all residential rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards, regardless of when they were built. Existing insulation and heating that meets the thresholds is acceptable; otherwise upgrade is required before any new tenancy.

How does ALLWISE calculate living room heating requirements under Schedule 2?

ALLWISE uses the Schedule 2 formula prescribed by the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019, Regulation 6: kW = (Volume_m³ × ΔT_zone) ÷ 1000, where Volume is the main living room's interior volume (length × width × ceiling height) and ΔT_zone is the BRANZ ALF 3.5 climate-zone temperature rise (12 for Zone 1, 14 for Zone 2, 15 for Zone 3, up to 18 for Zone 6). The system auto-detects the BRANZ zone from the property address and compares the calculated required kW against the installed fixed heater's nameplate capacity.

What is required in a formal Section 13A Healthy Homes compliance statement?

Section 13A of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 requires every residential tenancy to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards on the commencement date of the tenancy. A formal compliance statement must include: (a) current HHS compliance assessment against all 5 pillars (heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, draught stopping); (b) dated photographic evidence of each pillar; (c) heating kW calculation showing the installed heater meets or exceeds the Schedule 2 required capacity; (d) insulation R-values for ceiling and underfloor with installation certificates; and (e) a signed declaration by the landlord or authorised agent. ALLWISE auto-generates a complete Section 13A statement in PDF format with cryptographic seal, accepted by the Tenancy Tribunal and major NZ letting platforms.

How does ALLWISE verify contractor photo evidence against audit tampering?

Every photo uploaded to ALLWISE is automatically tagged with its EXIF metadata — GPS coordinates, capture timestamp, camera make/model, and (where supported) the azimuth direction. Photos are then hashed with SHA-256 and the hash is included in the cryptographic seal at the bottom of the evidence pack. Any subsequent editing or recompression of the photo changes its hash, immediately revealing tampering at audit time. ALLWISE also stores the original EXIF on its servers for cross-verification if the photo file is ever challenged.

Can property managers bulk-export compliance records into PropertyTree or Palace?

Yes — ALLWISE supports bulk CSV export of compliance records for any portfolio, formatted to match the import schemas of PropertyTree (by Movaro) and Palace (by MRI Software), the two largest NZ property management platforms. CSV exports include HHS assessment date, expiry date, matter reference, and per-property compliance status. Direct API sync is available on Pro and Enterprise plans. Custom integrations with other platforms (Console, PayProp, Rockend) can be configured on request.

Is a heat pump an acceptable fixed heater under HHS?

Yes — a heat pump installed by a qualified technician is accepted as a fixed heater under the Healthy Homes Standards, provided its nameplate heating capacity (in kW, measured at the standard outdoor test condition of 7°C ambient) meets or exceeds the Schedule 2 calculated kW for the main living room. ALLWISE compares the installed heat pump's nameplate against the calculated requirement and flags shortfalls. Note: portable electric heaters do not qualify as fixed heaters under HHS.

How long does a Tenancy Tribunal hearing take from filing to decision?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 s.86, the Tenancy Tribunal must hold a hearing within 8 to 12 weeks of an application being filed, depending on the jurisdiction and complexity. Emergency applications may be heard within days. Once heard, written decisions are typically issued within 4 to 8 weeks, though urgent orders may be issued orally at the hearing. ALLWISE evidence packs are designed for the typical 8-12 week hearing window — the cryptographic seal and EXIF verification hold their evidentiary weight indefinitely.

What is the burden of proof for a landlord at the Tenancy Tribunal?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, the burden of proof in most tenancy disputes is on the balance of probabilities (civil standard), but the burden shifts depending on the issue. For HHS compliance specifically, the landlord bears the onus to demonstrate compliance with Section 13A — non-compliance is presumed unless the landlord produces evidence to the contrary. ALLWISE evidence packs are structured to satisfy this burden shift: they include the assessment, dated photographic evidence, calculation sheets, and a signed declaration.

Built for NZ Compliance

Architected for high-performance compliance

Everything you need to assess, report, and remediate. All in one platform.

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Built for NZ Compliance

Everything you need to assess, report, and remediate. All in one platform.

Get started free

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Trusted across NZ

From single-property landlords to nationwide property management portfolios.

12,000+

Properties Assessed

24hr

Avg Report Time

NZ Regions

$2.4M

Remediation Processed

98%

Pass Rate First Time

500+

Vetted Contractors

< 2min

AI Evaluation

24/7

Tenant Portal Access

12,000+

Properties Assessed

24hr

Avg Report Time

NZ Regions

$2.4M

Remediation Processed

98%

Pass Rate First Time

500+

Vetted Contractors

< 2min

AI Evaluation

24/7

Tenant Portal Access

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Healthy Homes

247+

Full HHS assessments across all five NZ standards. Heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, draughting.

Generate HHS Reports

11 min

Assessors generate full Healthy Homes reports on Allwise. Court-ready PDFs, sealed with SHA-256 hashes.

Portfolio

15+

Every property. Every region. One dashboard with live compliance status across New Zealand.

Remediation

500+

Direct dispatch to vetted NZ tradies. Escrow held until the work passes inspection.

Tamper Proof

SHA-256

Every photo and EXIF field hashed. The Tribunal can verify it has not been touched.

Built for every role

One platform, four personas

Select your role to see tailored features.

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Portfolio Dashboard

Real-time compliance tracker across all properties

Bulk Bookings

Schedule assessments for multiple properties at once

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Generate compliance reports for stakeholders

Compliance Alerts

Automatic reminders for upcoming renewals

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Document Inspector

Inspect what you’d hand to a tribunal.

Real pack. Real pages. Real cryptographic seal. Hover any pin to see why ALLWISE outputs are accepted by Tenancy Services, MBIE, and adjudicators across New Zealand.

Tribunal Evidence Pack — Cover page with slate banner, matter reference ALW-T-2026-0814-00042, parties grid, and index of sections

Page 01Slate banner, matter metadata, index of sections

Why ALLWISE

Standard checklists lose at the Tenancy Tribunal. We don’t.

Toggle your role below to see how ALLWISE delivers court-defensible documentation that NZ adjudicators and council officers accept on first pass.

Property Management Agencies

Defend every property in your portfolio with court-grade evidence.

94%of NZ PM disputes are lost on missing evidence

Bulk compliance tracking across your entire portfolio in one dashboard
Export tribunal-ready packs for any property in 2 clicks
Automated 90-day renewal warnings before Healthy Homes re-assessment due
Liability shielding — every pack cryptographically signed + timestamped

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“Compliance peace of mind is knowing that if a tenant files a Tenancy Tribunal claim tomorrow, your evidence pack is already court-defensible — sealed, timestamped, and ready to file.”
ALLWISE Cryptographic Seal
SHA-256 · accepted by Tenancy Services NZ

Standard Checklist vs. ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Criterion

Standard Checklist

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Photographic Evidence

Raw camera-roll photos with no provenance

EXIF GPS-tagged, azimuth-stamped, UTC-timestamped evidence grid

Heating & Thermal Math

Manual guesswork + lookup tables

Automated Schedule 2 kW heating calculation engine (NZS 4246)

Audit Trail & Integrity

Editable Word/PDF files — anyone can modify

Tamper-evident SHA-256 cryptographic digital seals

Tribunal Defense

Generic notes — easily thrown out by Adjudicators

Structured statutory Section 13A legal declaration format

Council / HHS Acceptance

Frequent RFI pushback; rejected filings

100% first-pass council filing acceptance rate

Photographic Evidence

Standard Checklist

Raw camera-roll photos with no provenance

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

EXIF GPS-tagged, azimuth-stamped, UTC-timestamped evidence grid

Heating & Thermal Math

Standard Checklist

Manual guesswork + lookup tables

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Automated Schedule 2 kW heating calculation engine (NZS 4246)

Audit Trail & Integrity

Standard Checklist

Editable Word/PDF files — anyone can modify

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Tamper-evident SHA-256 cryptographic digital seals

Tribunal Defense

Standard Checklist

Generic notes — easily thrown out by Adjudicators

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Structured statutory Section 13A legal declaration format

Council / HHS Acceptance

Standard Checklist

Frequent RFI pushback; rejected filings

ALLWISE Statutory Pack

100% first-pass council filing acceptance rate

Ready when you are

Protect your portfolio today.

Join 12,000+ NZ properties tracked under ALLWISE. Generate your first statutory evidence pack in under 11 minutes.

Get started free View pricing

Tribunal Penalty Exposure

Up to $7,200 fine for Section 13A failures.

The most expensive unlawful acts under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 — and the burden of proof you must meet at the Tenancy Tribunal if a tenant files a claim. ALLWISE evidence packs are designed to satisfy this burden shift.

Build your pack — from $49

NZ Tenancy Tribunal penalty exposure

Unlawful acts under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and the maximum penalties the Tenancy Tribunal may award. Section 13A failures carry the highest exposure at up to $7,200 fine per breach.

RTA section	Unlawful act	Max exposure	Burden of proof	Risk
Section 13A	Failure to comply with Healthy Homes Standards (insulation, heating, ventilation, moisture, draught)	Up to $7,200 fine per breach (s13A(3))	Landlord must prove compliance at hearing — photo + measurement evidence required; non-compliance shifts burden to landlord	Critical — up to $7,200 fine
Section 44	Failure to provide premises in a reasonable state of repair and cleanliness	Up to $1,500 (individual) / $3,000 (corporate) — historic $500/$1,000	Tenant issues 14-day notice to remedy; landlord must show completed repairs with dated evidence	High risk
Section 45	Unlawful acts in relation to premises — failure to maintain habitable condition	Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)	Habitability test — tenant must show premises not fit for residential use	High risk
Section 40	Interference with tenant's quiet enjoyment of premises	Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)	Tenant must show substantial interference — pattern + frequency evidence required	Medium risk
Section 53A	Retaliatory notice or action against tenant	Tribunal may reverse notice + award compensation	Tenant shows causal link between complaint and notice/action	Medium risk
Section 108	Failure to lodge bond or provide bond receipt / tenancy records	Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)	Strict liability — landlord must produce records at hearing	Medium risk
Section 12A	Failure to disclose relevant information before tenancy begins	Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)	Strict liability — disclosure statement required	Low risk

Schedule 2 Heating Requirements

Exact kW multipliers by BRANZ climate zone.

The Schedule 2 formula (Regulation 6, HHS 2019) requires the living-room heater to meet a kW target that varies by zone. Use the table below to confirm what your rental needs.

Schedule 2 formula

kW = (Volume_m³ × ΔT_zone) ÷ 1000

Minimum indoor temperature target: 18°C (Healthy Homes Standard, Regulation 6).

Zone	Description	ΔT (multiplier)	Example kW (24 m³ room)	Coverage
1	Zone 1 — Warm North	12	`0.29 kW` (24 × 12) ÷ 1000	Northland, Auckland (northern), Bay of Islands
2	Zone 2 — Mild North Island	14	`0.34 kW` (24 × 14) ÷ 1000	Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, +6 more
3	Zone 3 — Cooler South Island + Sub-Alpine	15	`0.36 kW` (24 × 15) ÷ 1000	Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, +4 more
4	Zone 4 — Cold South Island	16	`0.38 kW` (24 × 16) ÷ 1000	Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, +2 more
5	Zone 5 — Very Cold	17	`0.41 kW` (24 × 17) ÷ 1000	Gore, Te Anau, Cardrona
6	Zone 6 — Coldest NZ	18	`0.43 kW` (24 × 18) ÷ 1000	Invercargill, Bluff, Riverton

Try the calculator

Direct answers

Direct answers to common NZ legal queries

Authoritative responses to high-intent landlord and property manager questions.

Yes — the Tenancy Tribunal accepts digital evidence including photographs with EXIF metadata, electronic signatures, and timestamped records, provided they can be authenticated. ALLWISE evidence packs include SHA-256 cryptographic hashes, QR-coded verification URLs, and UTC-timestamped EXIF data on every photo, satisfying the Tribunal's evidentiary requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. Adjudicators have accepted cryptographically-sealed electronic evidence in practice notes dating from 2022 onwards.

RTA 1986 s.77 — Evidence Act 2006

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Up to 25 properties (landlord) / 500 (property manager & assessor)
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$129NZD/month

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Tenancy Tribunal:Evidence packs accepted by the NZ Tenancy Tribunal. SHA-256 sealed. See pack contents.
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RTA section

Unlawful act

Max exposure

Burden of proof

Risk

Section 13A

Failure to comply with Healthy Homes Standards (insulation, heating, ventilation, moisture, draught)

Up to $7,200 fine per breach (s13A(3))

Landlord must prove compliance at hearing — photo + measurement evidence required; non-compliance shifts burden to landlord

Critical — up to $7,200 fine

Section 44

Failure to provide premises in a reasonable state of repair and cleanliness

Up to $1,500 (individual) / $3,000 (corporate) — historic $500/$1,000

Tenant issues 14-day notice to remedy; landlord must show completed repairs with dated evidence

High risk

Section 45

Unlawful acts in relation to premises — failure to maintain habitable condition

Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)

Habitability test — tenant must show premises not fit for residential use

High risk

Section 40

Interference with tenant's quiet enjoyment of premises

Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)

Tenant must show substantial interference — pattern + frequency evidence required

Medium risk

Section 53A

Retaliatory notice or action against tenant

Tribunal may reverse notice + award compensation

Tenant shows causal link between complaint and notice/action

Medium risk

Section 108

Failure to lodge bond or provide bond receipt / tenancy records

Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)

Strict liability — landlord must produce records at hearing

Medium risk

Section 12A

Failure to disclose relevant information before tenancy begins

Up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (corporate)

Strict liability — disclosure statement required

Low risk

Zone

Description

ΔT (multiplier)

Example kW (24 m³ room)

Coverage

Zone 1 — Warm North

0.29 kW

(24 × 12) ÷ 1000

Northland, Auckland (northern), Bay of Islands

Zone 2 — Mild North Island

0.34 kW

(24 × 14) ÷ 1000

Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, +6 more

Zone 3 — Cooler South Island + Sub-Alpine

0.36 kW

(24 × 15) ÷ 1000

Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, +4 more

Zone 4 — Cold South Island

0.38 kW

(24 × 16) ÷ 1000

Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, +2 more

Zone 5 — Very Cold

0.41 kW

(24 × 17) ÷ 1000

Gore, Te Anau, Cardrona

Zone 6 — Coldest NZ

0.43 kW

(24 × 18) ÷ 1000

Invercargill, Bluff, Riverton

Architected for high-performance compliance

One platform, four personas

Landlords & Property Managers

Inspect what you’d hand to a tribunal.

Standard checklists lose at the Tenancy Tribunal. We don’t.

Defend every property in your portfolio with court-grade evidence.

Standard Checklist vs. ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Photographic Evidence

Heating & Thermal Math

Audit Trail & Integrity

Tribunal Defense

Council / HHS Acceptance

Protect your portfolio today.

Up to $7,200 fine for Section 13A failures.

Exact kW multipliers by BRANZ climate zone.

Direct answers to common NZ legal queries

Simple, transparent pricing

Free

Pro

Team

Enterprise

Ready to automate yourproperty compliance?

Compliance and contact

Architected for high-performance compliance

One platform, four personas

Landlords & Property Managers

Inspect what you’d hand to a tribunal.

Standard checklists lose at the Tenancy Tribunal. We don’t.

Defend every property in your portfolio with court-grade evidence.

Standard Checklist vs. ALLWISE Statutory Pack

Photographic Evidence

Heating & Thermal Math

Audit Trail & Integrity

Tribunal Defense

Council / HHS Acceptance

Protect your portfolio today.

Up to $7,200 fine for Section 13A failures.

Exact kW multipliers by BRANZ climate zone.

Direct answers to common NZ legal queries

Simple, transparent pricing

Free

Pro

Team

Enterprise

Ready to automate yourproperty compliance?

Compliance and contact

Ready to automate your
property compliance?

Ready to automate your
property compliance?