Get your property Healthy Homes compliant
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What is the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act?
The Healthy Homes Guarantee Act is a government policy that aims to increase the quality of rental homes in New Zealand.
These new regulations introduce specific minimum standards for insulation, heating, moisture, drainage, ventilation, and draught-stopping for all rental properties.
These new regulations introduce specific minimum standards for insulation, heating, moisture, drainage, ventilation, and draught-stopping for all rental properties.
The Healthy Homes Standards
Heating
Fixed heating devices capable of achieving a minimum temperature of 18°C are required in the living room only. Heating devices that are inefficient, unaffordable, or unhealthy will not meet the requirements of the new heating standard.
Insulation
Existing ceiling and underfloor insulation must either meet the 2008 Building Code or have a minimum thickness of 120mm.
Ventilation
Ventilation must include openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms and an appropriately sized extractor fan in rooms with a bath, shower, or indoor cooktop.
Drainage
Landlords must ensure efficient drainage, guttering, downpipes, and drains. If a rental property has an enclosed subfloor, a ground moisture barrier must be installed where possible.
Draught-stopping
Landlords must stop up any unnecessary gaps or holes that cause noticeable draughts in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors. Any unused chimneys or fireplaces must also be blocked.
What happens if my property doesn't comply?
By July 2025 all rental homes must comply with Healthy Homes Standards, regardless of when the tenancy began. If a tenant believes their landlord has not complied with Healthy Homes Standards, they may seek a mediation and/or hearing with the Tenancy Tribunal. The Tenancy Tribunal can compel you to undertake work and impose a penalty of up to $4,000.
Is your property compliant?
As a landlord, ask yourself - Does your rental home have an efficient heating system? Underfloor and ceiling insulation? A ground moisture barrier? Are your bathroom and kitchen fans externally vented? Do your windows have draught-proofing?
If not, it’s likely that your rental property won’t meet the new regulations. In our experience, almost every property needs work done to become fully compliant. And even if you’ve been living in your property yourself, that doesn’t mean it is compliant.
If not, it’s likely that your rental property won’t meet the new regulations. In our experience, almost every property needs work done to become fully compliant. And even if you’ve been living in your property yourself, that doesn’t mean it is compliant.
How we can help
We believe that healthy homes are essential for landlords and tenants alike. Every property we manage undergoes a Healthy Homes Assessment to evaluate whether it is compliant, and to what degree. We will clearly outline what, if anything, needs to be done to bring your property up to standard in time for the 1 July 2025 deadline.
And if your property does need work to make it compliant, we can help you get it done quickly and efficiently with our network of trusted contractors.
And if your property does need work to make it compliant, we can help you get it done quickly and efficiently with our network of trusted contractors.