Landlords, the time is drawing near.
In 2019 the Government’s Healthy Homes law changes introduced minimum standards for rental properties.
Since then and over time, only some rentals have been required to meet the standards, but from 1 July 2025 all private rental properties must comply.
Check your systems and services
Landlords should now be taking the time to check systems or services such as heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.
It might mean that systems need replaced or improved, or new ones installed, and may include:
- Installing ceiling and underfloor insulation;
- Stopping and blocking any noticeable draughts;
- Fitting an extractor fan into a kitchen or bathroom; or
- Making sure all liveable rooms have a door or window that may be fixed open to the outside.
It’s not a ‘set and forget’ deal
But being compliant now doesn’t mean you can then forget about it. You must ensure continuous compliance. This might mean checking in with tenants from time to time and doing a thorough check of services, fixtures and systems when undertaking regular inspections to make sure everything is functioning correctly.
To help guarantee compliance, any new or renewed tenancy agreement must include a signed statement stating details of the rental property’s level of compliance with the standards.
Landlords must also keep records of compliance in case the tenant, Tenancy Services or the Tribunal want to see some evidence.
Not only do the standards ensure warmer, healthier and improved living for tenants, they also help Landlords with long-term maintenance, protecting a hard-earned investment.
Landlords who don’t meet their obligations may find themselves in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act and may be liable to pay a hefty fine.
Tenancy Services has set out exactly what the standards include and have made a handy checklist for Landlords to work down. This can be found here: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/forms-and-resources/healthy-homes-standards-toolkit-for-landlords/
