Question 1

Are digital signatures and cryptographic timestamps accepted by the Tenancy Tribunal?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How does ALLWISE verify contractor photo evidence against audit tampering?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Is a heat pump an acceptable fixed heater under HHS?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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.

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

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
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

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

Hamilton Healthy Homes compliance — Hamilton City Council & HHS 2019

Hamilton climate zone & heating requirements

Hamilton City Council compliance framework

Common Hamilton HHS compliance failures

Tribunal penalty exposure for Hamilton City Council landlords

Direct answers for Hamilton City Council landlords

Generate your Hamilton City Council statutory pack.

Other NZ cities we cover