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What are the New Zealand Healthy Homes Standards?

Updated 2026-05-28

The New Zealand Healthy Homes Standards are government regulations that introduce specific and minimum criteria for all private rentals covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. These standards address five key areas of a home’s quality: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and the stopping of draughts.

Landlords are legally obligated to ensure their properties meet these standards within a set timeframe to improve the living conditions and well-being of tenants.

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How it works

Landlords must ensure their rental properties meet all five Healthy Homes Standards. This involves assessing the property and making necessary upgrades, such as installing a qualified fixed heater in the main living area, ensuring ceiling and underfloor insulation meets minimum R-values, and installing correctly sized extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.

Landlords are also required to prevent moisture issues by maintaining efficient drainage and installing ground moisture barriers where applicable. They must provide a detailed compliance statement in new or renewed tenancy agreements, and failure to comply can lead to significant financial penalties enforced by the Tenancy Tribunal.

Why it matters

While primarily targeting long-term tenancies, these standards establish a benchmark for property quality that can influence guest expectations in the short-term rental market. Hosts who voluntarily meet or exceed these standards can market their properties as high-quality, healthy, and comfortable, which is a significant draw for guests, especially in colder climates or seasons.

Adherence demonstrates a commitment to guest well-being, helps differentiate a property from competitors, and can justify higher nightly rates.

Examples

  • A host in Queenstown installs a new heat pump in their living room to meet the heating standard, ensuring the space can reach 18°C on the coldest days. They then update their listing description to highlight this feature for ski season guests.
  • A property owner in Auckland discovers their bathroom extractor fan only recirculates air. To comply with the ventilation standard, they replace it with a new fan that is ducted to the outside of the house.
  • Before listing their bach (holiday home) for winter rentals, an owner adds new underfloor insulation to meet the required R-value, advertising the home as 'warm and dry' to attract off-season bookings.
  • A landlord in Wellington identifies and seals several gaps around older windows and doors to comply with the draught-stopping standard, improving the home's energy efficiency and comfort for tenants.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Healthy Homes Standards apply to short-term vacation rentals?+
The standards primarily apply to tenancies covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. Most short-term holiday accommodations are exempt. However, tenancies longer than 90 days are generally covered, and the standards represent best practice for guest comfort and safety regardless of stay length.
What are the five main areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards?+
The five standards are: 1) Heating, requiring a fixed heater in the main living room capable of reaching 18°C; 2) Insulation, with minimum thermal resistance (R-value) levels for ceilings and underfloors; 3) Ventilation, with extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms; 4) Moisture ingress and drainage, requiring efficient drainage and ground moisture barriers; and 5) Draught stopping, which involves sealing unnecessary gaps.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?+
For applicable rental agreements, landlords who fail to meet their obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards can face penalties of up to $7,200 issued by New Zealand's Tenancy Tribunal.
How can I showcase my property's high standards to attract guests?+
Clearly state in your listing description that your property meets or exceeds the Healthy Homes Standards, highlighting features like efficient heating and proper ventilation. On a direct booking website, you can create a dedicated section detailing these features; for example, website builders from providers like Lodgify allow for custom content to showcase property quality and amenities.
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