Healthy Homes Standards — what every NZ rental property must have

All private rentals — must already comply

All private rental properties in New Zealand must now meet the Healthy Homes Standards. Landlords who have not yet complied are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act and can face fines of up to $7,200 per breach.

1. Heating standard

Every rental must have a fixed heater in the main living room capable of achieving 18°C. The heater must be the right size for the room based on a calculation using floor area, ceiling height, and climate zone.

Acceptable heaters: heat pump, wood burner, pellet burner, or fixed electric heater. Unflued gas heaters, open fireplaces, and portable heaters do not count.

2. Insulation standard

Ceiling insulation must be in good condition with a minimum R-value of R2.9 in most of New Zealand (R1.3 for ceiling spaces under 400mm; higher values required in colder regions).

Underfloor insulation is required where there is a suspended wooden floor and the underfloor space is accessible. Minimum R1.3 (or R1.8 in colder regions).

3. Ventilation standard

Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans that vent to the outside:

• Kitchen: 25 L/s (fixed extractor) or 150 L/s (rangehood)
• Bathroom/toilet: 25 L/s

All habitable rooms must have openable windows.

4. Moisture and drainage standard

The landlord must ensure efficient drainage, no unreasonable moisture ingress from the ground or outside, and gutters and downpipes must be in good working order. Where there is a suspended floor, a ground moisture barrier may be required.

5. Draught stopping standard

Gaps and holes in floors, walls, ceilings, and windows that cause unreasonable draughts must be blocked. Unused fireplaces must be blocked.