Healthy Homes Compliance: A Quick Guide for Auckland Landlords

What the Healthy Homes Standards Cover

Since July 2021, every rental property in New Zealand has been required to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards. The rules set minimum requirements across five areas: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping. Non-compliance can carry penalties, so it pays to know exactly where your property stands before Tenancy Services or a tenant raises the question for you.

What Our Inspectors Check

• Heating — a fixed heater in the main living room capable of reaching 18°C, sized correctly for the room
• Insulation — ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting current thickness requirements
• Ventilation — openable windows in habitable rooms, plus extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• Moisture and drainage — working ground moisture barriers, guttering, and downpipes clear of blockages
• Draught stopping — gaps and unused fireplaces that let cold air in

We assess each of these against the current Standards and note exactly what, if anything, needs to change to bring the property into compliance.

What Happens If a Property Isn't Compliant

Most non-compliance issues we find are straightforward and inexpensive to fix — an extra extractor fan, topping up insulation in one corner of the ceiling space, or replacing an undersized heater. Our report sets out each item clearly so you or your property manager can action it quickly, rather than guessing at what a generic checklist might mean for your specific property.

Getting a Compliance Statement

All new or renewed tenancy agreements must include a signed Healthy Homes compliance statement. A pre-tenancy inspection from us gives you the evidence to back that statement up, and a paper trail if compliance is ever questioned.