Healthy Homes Standards NZ: Complete Guide for Inspectors (2026)

What are the Healthy Homes Standards?

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of minimum requirements for rental properties in New Zealand, introduced under the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019. They require all rental homes to meet specific standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.

Since 1 July 2021, all new and renewed tenancies must include a statement of compliance. All private rentals must comply within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy. For landlords and property managers, this means documented evidence of compliance — and for inspectors, it means a growing market for Healthy Homes assessments.

The five Healthy Homes Standards explained

1. Heating

The heating standard requires a fixed heating device in the main living room that can heat the room to at least 18°C. The required heating capacity is calculated based on the room's size, insulation, location (climate zone), and other factors.

What inspectors check:

• Is there a fixed heating device in the main living room?
• What type is it? (Heat pump, wood burner, flued gas heater, electric panel heater, etc.)
• What is its rated heating capacity in kilowatts?
• Does the capacity meet the minimum required for the room size and climate zone?
• Is the heater functional and in good condition?

Note: Unflued gas heaters do not comply, regardless of their capacity. Only fixed, vented, or flued heating devices are acceptable.

2. Insulation

The insulation standard requires ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets minimum R-values, or that existing insulation is in reasonable condition if it was installed to the standard at the time.

What inspectors check:

• Is ceiling insulation present? What type and thickness?
• Can you identify the R-value from manufacturer labels or product specifications?
• Is the insulation in reasonable condition — not degraded, water-damaged, compressed, or displaced?
• Is underfloor insulation present (if the property has an accessible subfloor)?
• Are there gaps in insulation coverage?

Minimum R-values vary by climate zone — Zone 1 (Northland to Bay of Plenty) has lower requirements than Zone 3 (inland South Island). Inspectors should be familiar with the zone map and the corresponding R-value requirements.

3. Ventilation

The ventilation standard requires openable windows in living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, plus mechanical extraction in rooms with a bath or shower, and in kitchens with a cooktop.

What inspectors check:

• Does each habitable room have at least one openable window?
• Is the openable area at least 5% of the floor area of that room?
• Is there a functioning extractor fan in each bathroom/shower room?
• Is there a functioning extractor fan or rangehood in the kitchen?
• Do extractor fans vent to the outside (not into the ceiling space)?

4. Moisture ingress and drainage

The moisture standard requires that the property has adequate drainage and moisture barriers to prevent water entering the building.

What inspectors check:

• Is there adequate drainage around the property? (Gutters, downpipes, surface drainage)
• Is the subfloor dry and ventilated?
• Is there a ground moisture barrier (polythene) on the ground under the subfloor, if the subfloor is enclosed?
• Are there signs of moisture ingress — water staining, mould, dampness?
• Is the property free from plumbing leaks?

5. Draught stopping

The draught stopping standard requires that unnecessary gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, doors, and floors are blocked to prevent draughts.

What inspectors check:

• Do all exterior doors close properly and have seals or draught strips?
• Do all windows close properly and have intact seals?
• Are there open fireplace gaps that need blocking (if the fireplace is not in use)?
• Are there gaps around pipes, wiring, or other penetrations through exterior walls?
• Are there unused cat doors or other openings that allow draughts?

How to conduct a Healthy Homes assessment

A systematic approach ensures you cover all five standards efficiently:

1. Start with the heating assessment — identify the main living room, check the fixed heating device, note its type and capacity
2. Check insulation — access the ceiling space and subfloor (if accessible) to inspect insulation type, condition, and coverage
3. Assess ventilation — check each room for openable windows, measure or estimate openable area, test extractor fans
4. Check moisture and drainage — inspect gutters, downpipes, subfloor, and interior for signs of moisture
5. Inspect draught stopping — check doors, windows, and any gaps or openings in the building envelope

Using a mobile inspection app like InspectPro lets you structure your assessment with sections for each standard, photograph your findings, and generate a professional report on-site. Most assessors complete a standard three-bedroom property in 45-60 minutes.

Compliance documentation

Landlords need documented evidence of compliance. Your assessment report should clearly state:

• Which standards the property meets — with photographic evidence
• Which standards the property does not meet — with specific findings
• What remediation is required — clear recommendations for achieving compliance
• The date of the assessment — for compliance records

A professional, well-structured report protects both the landlord and the tenant. The landlord can demonstrate they've had the property assessed and taken action, and the tenant can see the evidence of compliance.

Penalties for non-compliance

Landlords who fail to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards can face:

• Infringement notices of up to $4,000
• Tenancy Tribunal orders requiring compliance within a specified timeframe
• Exemplary damages of up to $7,200 in serious cases
• Work orders requiring specific remediation work

For property managers, ensuring your properties are assessed and compliant is not optional — it's a legal requirement that protects your landlords from penalties and your tenants from unhealthy living conditions.

Tools for efficient Healthy Homes assessments

The demand for Healthy Homes assessments has created an opportunity for inspectors and property managers who can deliver fast, professional assessments. Using a mobile tool like InspectPro means you can:

• Structure your assessment around all five standards
• Photograph heating sources, insulation, ventilation, and any issues
• Add preset comments for common findings
• Generate a branded compliance report on-site
• Complete more assessments per day

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