Healthy Homes Standards: What Every NZ Rental Must Now Meet

Every private rental in New Zealand must now meet the Healthy Homes Standards. The final compliance deadline of 1 July 2025 has passed, so the requirements below apply to all private tenancies, not just new ones.

This page is general information about New Zealand law, not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a lawyer or your local Community Law centre.

The 5 Healthy Homes Standards

The standards were introduced under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to set a minimum baseline for warm, dry rental homes. They cover five areas.

Heating. The main living room must have a fixed heater that can adequately warm the room, sized according to a formula set by Tenancy Services.

Insulation. Ceiling and underfloor insulation is compulsory where it is reasonably practicable to install, meeting the current Building Code standard.

Ventilation. Habitable rooms need windows or doors that open to the outdoor air, and kitchens and bathrooms need extractor fans or an equivalent, to help stop mould and dampness building up.

Moisture ingress and drainage. The property needs efficient drainage for the land it sits on, and any enclosed subfloor space needs a ground moisture barrier if the ground is exposed earth.

Draught stopping. Landlords must stop unreasonable gaps or holes that cause noticeable draughts, including unused chimneys and fireplaces, to reduce heat loss.

Every private rental must comply now

The Healthy Homes Standards phased in over several years, but that phase-in is over. Since 1 July 2025, every private rental property in New Zealand must comply with all five standards, not just properties with a new or renewed tenancy. Landlords must also give tenants a signed compliance statement, either in the tenancy agreement itself or within 21 days of a request, setting out how the property meets, or does not yet meet, each standard and, if it does not, what the landlord is doing about it.

Some exemptions exist, for example for certain heritage buildings or where full compliance is genuinely impractical, and these must be documented rather than assumed.

Penalties for non-compliance

A landlord who does not meet the Healthy Homes Standards is in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act and can face a financial penalty of up to $7,200 per breach. Separately, a landlord who fails to include the required compliance statement in a tenancy agreement can face a financial penalty of up to $500 for that tenancy, or other enforcement action.

What a tenant can do about a non-compliant rental

If your rental does not meet the standards, start by talking to your landlord. There can be legitimate reasons for a delay, such as a supply shortage or a documented exemption, and any agreement you reach should be put in writing and signed by both of you.

If that does not resolve it, you can serve a formal notice to remedy, giving the landlord a fixed and reasonable amount of time to complete the work. If the landlord still does not act within that time, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to have the issue resolved and to seek a work order. See the tenancy and renting hub for how the Tribunal process works, including its cost and jurisdiction, and bond refund nz if your dispute also touches your bond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Healthy Homes Standards apply to my rental right now?

Yes. The final compliance deadline was 1 July 2025, and that date has passed. Every private rental in New Zealand must now meet all five standards, regardless of when the tenancy started.

What are the 5 Healthy Homes Standards?

They are heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. Each has its own minimum requirement, for example a correctly sized fixed heater in the main living room and compulsory ceiling and underfloor insulation.

What happens if a landlord does not meet the standards?

A landlord who breaches the Healthy Homes Standards can face a financial penalty of up to $7,200 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. A separate penalty of up to $500 applies if the required compliance statement is missing from the tenancy agreement.

What can I do if my rental is not compliant?

Raise it with your landlord first, since there may be a valid reason for the delay. If that does not resolve it, you can serve a notice to remedy giving the landlord a reasonable deadline, and apply to the Tenancy Tribunal if the work still is not done.

Are there any exemptions to the Healthy Homes Standards?

A limited set of exemptions exists, for example where full compliance is genuinely impractical or for certain heritage properties. A landlord relying on an exemption should be able to show the documented basis for it, not simply assert one.