Compliance Deadlines
The Healthy Homes Standards, effective from 1 July 2019, set minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
As the final compliance deadline of 1 July 2025 approaches, landlords must ensure their properties meet these standards and continue to do so.
- Currently, private rental properties must meet the standards within 120 days of a new or renewed tenancy agreement. This allows landlords to implement the necessary changes as tenancies change. The compliance deadline for your rental property depends on the type of tenancy. This helpful decision making tool will assist in determining when your property must comply.
- From 1 July 2025, you no longer have 120 days to comply and you may only rent out a fully compliant property. The Healthy Homes Standards apply to all residential rental properties.
About the Healthy Homes Standards
The Healthy Homes Standards cover several key areas:
- Heating: Compliant fixed heating must be capable of maintaining a minimum temperature in the main living area.
- Insulation: Proper underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to meet specific standards.
-
Ventilation: Each liveable space must have a window or door that opens to the outside and can be fixed in the open position. Kitchens and bathrooms must also have an extractor fan to remove moisture.
-
Moisture Ingress and Drainage: A rental property must have efficient drainage, guttering and downpipes for the removal of stormwater, surface water and ground water. Where there is an enclosed sub-floor, a ground moisture barrier is required.
-
Draught Stopping: Any unreasonable gaps or openings in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors, that cause noticeable draughts, must be blocked.
This toolkit provides more detailed information on each of these key areas.
The Impact of Non-Compliance
Landlords who don’t meet their obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and can be liable for financial penalties of up to $7.200.
The Importance of Record-Keeping
Landlords need to keep all records and documents that show how they are complying with the Healthy Homes Standards. These records must be presented upon request, for example, to the Tenancy Tribunal or the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations team.
Failure to supply them within 10 working days of a request, without a reasonable reason, is considered an unlawful act.
How Quinovic Can Assist
With the Healthy Homes Standards compliance deadline just under a year away, Quinovic is supporting our property owners to meet the requirements. Our comprehensive property management services include facilitating the management of necessary repairs or upgrades to ensure properties meet the 2025 deadline.
Further information
Quinovic, the home of property management in New Zealand since 1988.
