Healthy homes standards – what a tenant needs to know
Information about the healthy homes standards for tenants.
About the healthy homes standards
The healthy homes standards are the minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties. All rental properties must comply with the healthy homes standards unless an exemption applies.
Landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the standards and continue to over time. These standards help tenants keep their homes warm and dry.
Why the standards are important
More than 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and research shows rental properties are poorer quality than owner-occupied homes.
Research also shows a link between cold, damp and mouldy homes and poorer health.
Looking for a new rental?
Use our healthy homes toolkit to help you understand what to look out for, and the important questions to ask.
Healthy homes toolkit for tenants
Our tenant healthy homes standards checklist can help you check if your rental complies.
What are the standards?
Heating
Landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room. The heater(s) must be acceptable types, and must meet the minimum heating capacity required for your main living room.
Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. The healthy homes insulation standard builds on the current regulations and some existing insulation will need to be topped up or replaced.
Ventilation
Each liveable space must have a window or door that opens to the outside and can be fixed in the open position. Kitchens and bathrooms must also have an extractor fan to remove moisture.
Moisture ingress and drainage
A rental property must have efficient drainage, guttering and downpipes for the removal of stormwater, surface water and ground water.
Where there is an enclosed sub-floor, a ground moisture barrier is required.
Moisture ingress and drainage standard
Draught stopping
Landlords must block any unreasonable gaps or holes, in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors, that cause noticeable draughts.
When the standards do not apply
In some situations, a property will not be required to comply with the healthy homes standards or parts of the standards. This is called an exemption.
When the standards need to be met
All rental properties need to comply with the healthy homes standards.
Landlords can access the house to do work to comply, or prepare to comply, with the healthy homes standards but they must give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering.
What to do if your rental does not comply
Landlords who do not meet their obligations under the healthy homes standards are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 – and may face consequences, like financial penalties of up to $7200.
Tenants should talk to their landlord if their rental does not meet the standards.
There may be good reasons why they have not been able to meet the deadline for a particular standard – for example, supply issues, or an exemption may apply. If an agreement is reached, it should be recorded in writing, then signed and dated.
If both parties can not come to an agreement on how to sort out the problem, you can give your landlord a ‘notice to remedy’. This gives the landlord a fixed amount of time to get the work done. The amount of time must be reasonable.
If the landlord does not fix the problem in the time allowed, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to resolve the issue.
Our page about breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act has more information about serving a notice to remedy.
Healthy habits – how to play your part
Your landlord is responsible for making sure your rental meets and continues to meet the healthy homes standards and to ensure the premises are in a reasonable state of repair but tenants have a part to play too.
You are responsible for keeping the property reasonably clean and tidy, and letting your landlord know about any damage or repairs that are needed. Things like blocked or leaking downpipes and gutters, leaks in pipes, dampness or leaks in walls or ceilings, can cause major problems if left unfixed – so make sure you let your landlord know about them as soon as possible.
Here are some other simple things you can do in your home to reduce moisture and make it easier to keep your home and your whānau warm and healthy:
- Open your windows and doors in the morning to give the house a good airing out – 15 minutes should do it
- Dry your washing outside if you can, or in a room with the doors closed and a window open
- Use the extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen and open your windows when showering or cooking
- Use lids on your pots when cooking
- Wipe off any condensation from the windows
- Move your furniture away from the walls so there is a gap to let the air flow through
- Air out a room and turn off the heater. By releasing the heat you’ll avoid condensation.
Last updated: 01 July 2025
