Healthy homes
The five healthy homes standards, in plain English
Every private rental in New Zealand has had to meet all five healthy homes standards since 1 July 2025, and the penalty runs to $7,200 per breach. Here is what each one asks for.
Since 1 July 2025, every private rental in New Zealand has had to comply with all five healthy homes standards, at all times, regardless of when the tenancy started. The older framework that gave landlords 90 or 120 days from the start of a new or renewed tenancy has been fully superseded. There is no government-issued certificate: landlords self-assess and sign the compliance statement themselves, which means the record you keep is the only evidence you have. Non-compliance currently risks a fine of up to $7,200 per breach.
What are the five standards?
The five cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping. In outline:
| Standard | What it asks for |
|---|---|
| Heating | A fixed heater in the main living room capable of reaching 18°C |
| Insulation | Ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting the current R-value minimums |
| Ventilation | Openable windows in habitable rooms, plus extraction in kitchens and bathrooms |
| Moisture and drainage | Efficient drainage, guttering, and a ground moisture barrier where there is an enclosed subfloor |
| Draught stopping | Gaps and holes that cause noticeable draughts blocked, and unused fireplaces closed off |
The detail matters more than the summary. Heating capacity is calculated for the specific room, and insulation R-values differ by climate zone, so a property that passed on a neighbour's numbers has not actually been assessed.
Is compliance a one-time job?
No, and this is the part most often misunderstood. Compliance is a continuing obligation rather than an event. A property drifts out of compliance as a heat pump fails, an extraction fan stops moving air, or wear opens a new draught path. A statement signed two years ago describes a property that no longer exists.
Where the official detail lives
The authoritative source is Tenancy Services' healthy homes compliance guidance. Anything in this piece that disagrees with it is wrong, and the official numbers should be the ones you act on.