Healthy Homes: what every landlord needs to know
Keeping your property in top condition isn’t just about meeting your tenants' needs - it’s about staying up-to-date with current standards too. New Zealand's Healthy Homes standards outline clear requirements every rental property must meet, covering essentials like heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control, and draught stopping. But what exactly does this mean for you, and how do you ensure your property complies? Let’s break it down and help you understand what’s involved.
What are the Healthy Homes standards?
The Healthy Homes standards are minimum requirements designed to ensure that every rental property in New Zealand provides a warm, dry and safe living environment. These standards cover:
- Heating - Ensuring living areas have adequate heating.
- Ventilation - Making sure there’s proper airflow.
- Insulation - Having appropriate insulation in ceilings and under floors.
- Moisture and Drainage - Preventing moisture buildup.
- Draught Stopping - Sealing unnecessary gaps to reduce draughts.
How do I know if my property complies?
The first step is easy: get a Healthy Homes assessment. This is an expert evaluation of your property to see if it meets the standards or if there’s work that needs to be done. It’s particularly important for the heating standard, which requires technical calculations to ensure the right heating capacity. Professional assessors typically charge between $150 and $250 (plus GST), and they’ll give you a clear picture of what needs attention. Even if your property is a new build, it’s worth getting an assessment, as rental-specific standards may still apply.
What happens if work is required?
If the assessment shows your property needs work, such as installing a heat pump or an extractor fan, you’ll be able to arrange for quotes. Some assessors provide quotes directly, or you can source your own. Once the budget is approved, you could hand it over to your property manager to take care of the rest - coordinating the tradespeople to get the job done, stress-free.
Already have a heat pump? It might not be enough.
You may have installed a heat pump a few years back, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it ticks all the boxes for Healthy Homes. A professional assessment will check whether your existing heating system meets the calculated requirements for your property. If you installed your heat pump before 1 July 2019, and it meets 80% of the required capacity, you may be in the clear - or just a small top-up could do the trick.
When do I need to comply?
Your property needs to meet the standards within 120 days of a new tenancy starting or when a fixed-term tenancy is renewed. For periodic tenancies with existing tenants, the compliance deadline is 1 July 2025. That might feel like a while away, but we recommend getting your property assessed now, just in case your tenants give notice. If you're unsure about your compliance timeline, your property manager is on hand to offer clarity.
What do I need to tell my tenants?
Landlords must provide a Healthy Homes compliance statement with every tenancy agreement, showing whether or not the property meets the standards. If you’ve had an assessment, many providers will include this statement as part of their service. If you’re doing a self-assessment, you’ll need to sign off on the compliance statement yourself.
What happens if I don't comply?
Failing to provide a compliance statement could land you with a $750 fine, and submitting false or misleading information carries a penalty of up to $900. Not meeting the standards in time can result in even heavier fines - up to $7,200 in exemplary damages, plus potential rent compensation for your tenants.
What records do I need to keep?
You’ll need to hold onto records showing compliance, like invoices, receipts, or the Healthy Homes assessment report. These records must be provided within 21 days if requested by a tenant.
Ensuring your property meets the Healthy Homes standards is important, and particularly with the compliance deadline of 1 July 2025 looming, it’s top of mind for many landlords. But you don’t have to go through it alone. If you have any questions or need advice and support, your Barfoot & Thompson property manager is just a phone call away, ready with help when you need it.