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Healthy homes
The healthy homes standards introduce specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
Relisting your rental? Check it ticks all the boxes
Between 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2025, all private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards within certain timeframes depending on when the tenancy starts or is renewed. Is your rental up to scratch?
Use our healthy homes checklist [PDF, 1.3 MB]
A few tweaks will help ensure that your property lasts longer, is more secure, needs less long term maintenance and will attract long-term tenants who want to look after the place.
Read our short guide to help you to understand what the requirements are and how you can make sure your property is up to scratch.
In a nutshell
Change doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s a breakdown of what you should be doing by when.
Make a statement
You’ll need to include a statement about your intent to comply in any new, varied or renewed tenancy agreements and detail about your rental’s current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards in new or renewed tenancy agreements.
Keep your paperwork
Make sure you keep all relevant documents as evidence of compliance with the healthy homes standards.
Raise the standard
FROM JULY 2021● Boarding houses must comply with the healthy homes standards● Between 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2025, all private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards within certain timeframes depending on when the new tenancy starts or is renewed. Certain types of properties may get a little longer to comply with the heating standard.
Find out when your rental needs to meet the standard->
FROM JULY 2024● All Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) houses and registered Community Housing Provider houses must comply with the healthy homes standards.
FROM JULY 2025All rental homes must comply with the healthy homes standards.
Full details on the compliance timeframes>
Healthy homes standards guide [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Check your rental’s health
Is your rental up to scratch?Assessing your home is the first step. Get a professional in or do it yourself. Use our rental health checklist [PDF, 1.3 MB] as a guide.
Get the detailNow you know what you need to work on, get the detail. Read up about the specifics of what you need, and use the online tools available to help you make decisions.Read the details about each of the standards.
Swot upWhat products will best fit your needs? Do your research, get quotes and talk to professionals for advice.
Plan your upgrades
Plan and prioritiseDecide what needs to be done by when to meet compliance timeframes.
BudgetingMake sure you have the funds to complete the upgrades. You don’t want to be caught short.
Book it inBook in industry professionals before the inevitable pre-deadline rush.
Ready for action
Keep your tenants in the loopLet them know what you are doing and why. Here's an info sheet [PDF, 452 KB] you can give tenants to help them do their part. If you're doing maintenance to meet the standards, you will need to give your tenants 24 hours’ notice before you enter the property.
Purchase productsIf you are using a tradesperson, they will usually help you with this.
Call in the tradies (or DIY)In most cases it will be best to get a professional to get the job done well. Don’t forget to give tenants notice if work’s being done at the property.
Keep tabs on it
Document itKeep a hold of all files and receipts as a record of what work was done. Check out this page on keeping records.
Don’t waste your hard workMaintaining your rental is not only good for your property but it will keep your tenants happy too.
Signed and sealedYou will need to sign an intent to comply statement with any new, renewed or varied tenancy agreements. This states if you already comply with the standards or that you intend to, so remember to download the official statement.
Do you run a
boarding house
Boarding houses have to meet the healthy homes standards. This has been a requirement since 1 July 2021.
But what exactly is a boarding house?
Let’s take a look …
Check out this online tool to find out if you’re operating a boarding house>
If you're a tenant see: Do you live in a boarding house?
How do you know if you’re running a boarding house?
Here are some of the key things that can make a rental home a boarding house.
The number of tenants
There are (or intends to be) 6 or more tenants living in the home.
Shared facilities
Tenants share spaces like the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
Tenancy agreements for each tenant
There’s a tenancy agreement for each tenant, rather than an agreement for the whole house.
Length of the tenancy
The tenancy lasts (or is intended to last) for 28 days or longer.
Heating
A fixed source of heating that's the right size to heat the main living room.
Having the right size heater for your area will mean the living room can be heated to 18 degrees, even on the coldest day of the year. 18 isn’t just our lucky number, that’s the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organization. Heating the living room can make a big difference to mental outlook and physical health.
Check out the full details on the heating standard>
Every Mitsubishi Electric Heat Pump is a product of painstaking research, relentless testing, and a resolute determination to improve upon vital performance characteristics.
In a nutshell
Size it right
You'll need to use the heating assessment tool or the appropriate formula in the regulations to confirm you've got the right sized heater for your main living room.
This will be the main way most rentals will need to comply with the heating standard, but there are alternative options.
Find out more about the healthy homes heating standard>
Heating assessment tool>
Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners>
Healthy homes standards regulations - Schedule 2 (formula)>
Keep it fixed
The heating source needs to be fixed, so plugging in a spare heater won’t do the trick.
Location, location, location
The standard only applies to the main living room. If your rental property has more than one living room, then only the largest living room needs to be heated.
Keep it consistent
If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump make sure it has a thermostat. That small piece of technology will make the heating more consistent and help tenants use it efficiently.
Top tips
Don’t wait: insulate!
It’s best to make sure your insulation is up to standard. Then, any heating sources will be much more efficient.
Get a professional in
If in doubt, speak to a pro. Most new heating will need to be installed by a licensed electrical worker or registered gasfitter. Wood and pellet burners require council consent for installation.
Just a wee bit more
If you already have a fixed heating source, then it might just need a top up to meet the heating standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.
Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation has already been compulsory since 1 July 2019. You’ll need to make sure your insulation meets the new standard
A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and other nasties taking hold. It’ll also make it easier for a house to retain heat - a warm house is a drier house.
Check out the full details on the insulation standard>
Heat Pump Calculator>
In a nutshell
Didn’t insulation requirements already change?
Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area
Top tips
Use our online tool to check if your insulation is up to scratch
Check yourself
You can check the R-value of new insulation by checking the product packaging. If you have existing insulation, check it yourself or hire an expert. Information may be attached to a beam in the ceiling or underfloor area, or may be included on the council building file.
Do it once, do it right
Save time and money by putting your underfloor insulation in at the same time as your moisture barrier - if you need one for the moisture ingress and drainage standard.
Ventilation
Make sure each liveable space has an openable window or door. Kitchens and bathrooms need to have an extractor fan to remove moisture.
The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat - and a well ventilated rental is less likely to give way to property damage.
Check out the full details on the ventilation standard>
Heat Pump Calculator>
Top tips
Already a fan
If there is an extractor fan already installed, check to make sure it's in good working order.
Time it right
Installing a timer on fans or a humidity sensor can improve ventilation.
Keep it secure
Make sure the tenant can ventilate the house while keeping it safe and secure. Window stays can be good for this.
Ask the Experts: 09 407 6468
HIKO is supplied in Kerikeri by Gibson Electrical. We service Kerikeri and surrounding areas. We offer no-obligation quotes to help you select the best possible heat pump system for your home. Every home is different, so it’s always wise to ask the experts for help in choosing the right heat pump to meet your needs!