Since 1 July 2025, every private rental property in New Zealand has been required to meet all five Healthy Homes Standards at all times. The previous 90 or 120-day compliance window for new or renewed tenancies no longer exists.
If your property is being rented today, it needs to already be compliant.
For landlords, Healthy Homes compliance isn’t something to think about only when a tenancy starts or ends. It’s an ongoing responsibility that helps protect your tenants, your investment, and your rental income. The good news is that with the right systems in place, staying compliant is far less stressful than trying to catch up after something has gone wrong.
Use this checklist to review your property and identify anything that may need attention.
The Five Healthy Homes Standards Checklist
1. Heating
Every rental property must have a fixed heating device in the main living room that can heat the space to at least 18°C. Portable heaters don’t meet the standard. If an electric heater is used, there are limits around when it can be relied upon as the primary heat source, and it generally must include a thermostat.
Ask yourself:
- Is there a fixed heater installed in the main living area?
- Is it large enough for the room?
- Is it working properly?
One of the most common issues we see is landlords assuming that because a heat pump is installed, it automatically meets the standard. In reality, the unit still needs to be correctly sized for the room. A heat pump that’s perfect for a small lounge may not provide enough heating for a large open-plan living space.
Tip: Have your heat pump serviced before winter. Every year we see heating systems fail just as the colder weather arrives, often leading to urgent call-outs that could have been avoided with a simple pre-season check.
2. Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet the current Healthy Homes requirements unless a valid exemption applies. In some homes with limited roof space, recent rule changes allow landlords to meet the standard through alternative insulation solutions.
Ask yourself:
- Does the property have compliant ceiling insulation?
- Is underfloor insulation installed where required?
- If an exemption applies, is it properly documented?
It’s easy to assume insulation installed years ago is still doing its job, but that’s not always the case. We regularly come across properties where insulation has shifted over time, doesn’t provide full coverage, or no longer meets the required standard.
Keeping copies of installation invoices, product information and any assessment reports makes it much easier to demonstrate compliance if questions are ever raised.
3. Ventilation
Rental homes need adequate ventilation to help manage moisture and improve indoor air quality. This includes openable windows in habitable rooms and extractor fans or range hoods in kitchens and bathrooms that vent to the outside.
Ask yourself:
- Are extractor fans working properly?
- Do they vent externally?
- Can all habitable rooms be ventilated through openable windows?
A fan that turns on isn’t necessarily working as it should. We often find extractor fans that are still running but have become much less effective because the ducting is damaged, blocked or disconnected. These sorts of issues can easily go unnoticed until a routine inspection or maintenance visit.
4. Moisture Ingress and Drainage
Properties must have effective drainage to remove stormwater, surface water and groundwater. Where reasonably practicable, enclosed subfloor spaces also need a ground moisture barrier.
Ask yourself:
- Are gutters and downpipes clear?
- Is stormwater draining away from the property?
- Does the enclosed subfloor have a compliant moisture barrier?
Blocked gutters, overflowing downpipes and poor drainage are issues we see regularly after periods of heavy rain. They’re often straightforward to fix when caught early but can lead to dampness, mould and more expensive repairs if left too long.
A quick check before winter and after major storms can save a lot of time and money later.
5. Draught Stopping
Noticeable draughts caused by unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows and doors must be repaired. Unused open fireplaces also need to be blocked to prevent unnecessary heat loss.
Ask yourself:
- Are there obvious gaps around doors or windows?
- Are damaged seals allowing cold air inside?
- Has any unused open fireplace been closed off?
Small gaps can have a surprisingly big impact on how warm a home feels. Sealing them is often one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve comfort while helping tenants heat the property more efficiently.
Common Compliance Mistakes Landlords Make
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Healthy Homes compliance is something you tick off once and never think about again.
In reality, compliance needs to be maintained throughout the life of the property.
Some of the issues we help landlords address most often include:
- assuming older insulation still meets today’s requirements
- forgetting to service heat pumps and ventilation systems
- putting off drainage or gutter maintenance
- replacing a failed heater with one that doesn’t meet the required capacity
- completing repairs without keeping invoices or maintenance records.
Most compliance problems don’t happen overnight. They develop gradually because routine maintenance gets pushed down the priority list.
How to Prove Your Property Is Compliant
Unlike a building warrant of fitness, there isn’t an official Healthy Homes certificate issued by the government.
Instead, landlords are responsible for completing and signing the Healthy Homes Compliance Statement, which must be included with every tenancy agreement.
That’s why good record keeping is just as important as completing the work itself.
We recommend keeping copies of:
- installation invoices
- product specifications
- maintenance records
- photos of completed work
- inspection reports
- any professional Healthy Homes assessments.
An independent assessment isn’t legally required, but many landlords find it worthwhile. It provides an independent snapshot of the property’s condition and can be valuable evidence if compliance is ever questioned through the Tenancy Tribunal.
Healthy Homes Compliance Is About More Than Avoiding Penalties
Failure to comply can result in exemplary damages of up to $7,200 per breach through the Tenancy Tribunal.
But in our experience, the bigger cost is often less obvious.
A poorly maintained rental can become harder to let, attract more maintenance requests, experience higher tenant turnover and require more reactive repairs over time.
By comparison, warm, dry and well-maintained homes tend to:
- attract quality tenants more easily
- encourage longer tenancies
- reduce vacancy between tenants
- minimise unexpected maintenance issues
- help protect the long-term value of the property.
Healthy Homes compliance isn’t just about meeting your legal obligations. It’s part of protecting one of your biggest investments.
How Wolfbrook Helps Landlords Stay Compliant
The landlords with the fewest compliance headaches usually aren’t spending more time on their properties. They simply have good systems in place.
That’s the approach we take at Wolfbrook Property Management.
Routine inspections don’t just look at the general condition of the property. They also help us identify potential Healthy Homes issues before they become larger problems.
When tenants report maintenance through our online portal, photos and detailed information allow us to assess issues quickly and arrange the right tradespeople where needed. That means problems like faulty extractor fans, damaged heating or drainage issues can often be resolved before they affect compliance.
We also keep detailed records of inspections, maintenance and repairs, giving landlords confidence that important documentation is available if it’s ever needed.
Property management isn’t just about collecting rent. It’s about protecting your investment year after year, and proactive Healthy Homes compliance is a big part of that.
Not Sure If Your Property Is Fully Compliant?
If you’re unsure whether your rental property meets every Healthy Homes requirement, you’re not alone. Many landlords aren’t certain where their property stands, particularly if it’s been several years since insulation was installed or heating was upgraded.
Our team works with landlords across New Zealand every day to help keep their properties compliant, well maintained and attractive to good tenants.
Get in touch with your local Wolfbrook Property Management team for practical advice, a property review or a free rental appraisal. We’re here to help make property management simple.