Healthy Homes Standards Summary
An educational guide for New Zealand landlords, property managers, and tenants.
Overview
The Healthy Homes Standards were introduced by the New Zealand Government under the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2020. They set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress & drainage, and draught stopping in all residential rental properties.
Who must comply: All private landlords, Kāinga Ora (Housing NZ), and community housing providers. Boarding houses must comply with some standards.
⚠ Effective 1 July 2025: All private rentals must comply
As of 1 July 2025, every private rental property in New Zealand must comply with all five Healthy Homes Standards — including tenancies that started before 1 July 2019. This includes both new and existing tenancies. If you rent out a property and have not yet assessed or remediated, you should do so now.
1. Heating Standard
Requirement
The main living room must have a fixed heating device that can heat the room to at least 18°C on the coldest winter day.
- The required heating capacity is calculated using the BRANZ ALF 3.5 methodology (Schedule 2 of the Regulations).
- The formula accounts for: room dimensions, insulation levels, window area, construction type, and climate zone.
- Acceptable heaters must be fixed (not portable) and have a thermostat. Electric heaters must be at least 2.0 kW for most rooms.
- Heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners, and flued gas heaters are acceptable if they meet the capacity requirement.
- Unflued gas heaters, portable LPG heaters, and open fires are not acceptable.
2. Insulation Standard
Requirement
Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet minimum R-values (thermal resistance) or be in reasonable condition if installed to the 1978 standard.
- Ceiling insulation: Minimum R 2.9 for most of NZ (R 3.3 in Central Otago/Queenstown, R 3.5 in alpine areas).
- Underfloor insulation: Minimum R 1.3 throughout NZ.
- Existing insulation installed to the 1978 standard (pre-2016) may comply if in reasonable condition.1
- Insulation must be installed in accordance with NZS 4246 for ceilings and NZS 4246 for underfloor.
- Wall insulation is not required unless it's feasible and can be installed without major renovation.
3. Ventilation Standard
Requirement
Rental properties must have windows, doors, or skylights that open to the outside in all habitable spaces, and extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Habitable rooms (living room, dining room, bedrooms) must have windows/doors/skylights with an openable area of at least 5% of the floor area.
- Kitchens must have an extractor fan vented to the outside with a minimum airflow of 50 L/s.
- Bathrooms must have an extractor fan vented to the outside with a minimum airflow of 25 L/s.
- Fans must be installed in accordance with NZS 4303.
4. Moisture Ingress & Drainage Standard
Requirement
Rental properties must have adequate drainage and be free from water entering the property (moisture ingress).
- Effective stormwater, surface water, and ground water drainage systems.
- Roof and plumbing in sound condition — no leaks, no water penetration.
- If the property has a subfloor, a ground moisture barrier (polythene sheet) must be installed.
- All drainage must discharge to an appropriate outfall (not pooling under the house).
5. Draught Stopping Standard
Requirement
The property must not have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors that cause noticeable draughts.
- All gaps and holes in building envelope (walls, ceilings, windows, floors, doors) that let in draughts must be blocked.
- Windows and external doors must be in reasonable condition without noticeable air leaks.
- Open fireplaces must be blocked or the chimney closed off if not in use.
- Intentional ventilation openings (required by the Ventilation Standard or Building Code) are exempt.
Exemptions & Exceptions
Some properties or situations may be partially or fully exempt:
- Properties where installation is not reasonably practicable (e.g., no roof cavity for insulation).
- Heritage buildings where compliance would compromise heritage values.
- Apartments where body corporate rules prevent installation.
- Properties scheduled for demolition or substantial renovation within 12 months.
- Exemptions must be documented and may need Tenancy Tribunal approval.
Compliance Timeframes
- 1 July 2019: All rental properties must have ceiling and underfloor insulation (where practicable).
- 1 July 2021: New or renewed tenancies must comply with all five standards within 90 days.
- 1 July 2025: All tenancies (including existing) must comply with all five standards.
Source: Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2020. This is an educational summary only — always refer to the current legislation or seek professional advice for your specific situation.
- The actual test for existing insulation is whether it was installed to the NZS 4246:2016 standard (or the 1978 standard for older homes). “Reasonable condition” is interpreted by MBIE guidance.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Landlords who fail to comply may face:
- Exemplary damages awarded by the Tenancy Tribunal (up to $7,200 per breach).
- Work orders requiring compliance work to be completed by a specified date.
- Compensation orders for tenants affected by non-compliance.
- Difficulty obtaining or renewing tenancy agreements.
- Impact on insurance coverage for non-compliant properties.
How We Can Help
ALLWISE SOLUTIONS provides comprehensive Healthy Homes compliance assessments:
- Full on-site inspection against all five standards.
- Heating capacity calculation using the BRANZ ALF 3.5 methodology.
- Digital compliance report with photographic evidence and remediation plan.
- Compliance expiry tracking and re-assessment reminders.
- AI-powered recommendations reviewed by qualified assessors.