NZ Rental Properties Must Now Comply with New Standards

As of 1 July 2025, all residential rental properties in New Zealand are now legally required to comply with the Government’s Healthy Homes Standards (HHS).

The final deadline marks a significant turning point in the country’s rental sector, with no further extensions for private landlords.

This development is among the most important in New Zealand real estate news in 2025, as it brings the entire rental market under a single compliance framework for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control and draught stopping — aimed at improving living conditions for tenants nationwide.

🔍 What Are the Healthy Homes Standards?

Introduced in 2019 and implemented in stages, the Healthy Homes Standards are a set of minimum requirements that landlords must meet to ensure warm, dry, and healthy rental properties in New Zealand.

These standards apply to both private and public housing and are enforced under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

From 1 July 2025, all rental properties — regardless of when the tenancy began — must be fully compliant.

✅ What Compliance Means for Landlords

To meet the Healthy Homes obligations, landlords must ensure the following five key standards are in place:

1. Heating

A fixed heating device must be installed in the main living room. It must be capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 18°C.

✅ Heat pumps and flued gas heaters are compliant.

❌ Portable and unflued heaters are not.

2. Insulation

Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet 2008 Building Code minimum R-values.Properties insulated prior to 2016 often require top-ups or full replacements.

3. Ventilation

All habitable spaces must have an openable window or door, and kitchens and bathrooms must have externally vented extractor fans.

4. Moisture and Drainage

Properties must have effective drainage systems and a ground moisture barrier for homes with an enclosed subfloor.

5. Draught Stopping

Any unreasonable gaps or holes that let in draughts must be sealed. This includes chimneys and unused fireplaces.

📅 Timeline Recap – Healthy Homes Compliance

Date	Milestone
1 July 2019	Healthy Homes Standards became law
1 July 2021	New or renewed tenancies required to comply within 90 days
3 March – 30 June 2025	Tenancies during this period required full compliance by 1 July 2025
1 July 2025	ALL rental properties must now comply

This date is now a critical compliance milestone for all property managers, investors, and landlords operating in New Zealand’s rental market.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

Failure to meet the Healthy Homes Standards can result in:

• Fines of up to $7,200 per breach

• Orders from the Tenancy Tribunal to undertake urgent repairs or reimburse tenants

• Public enforcement listings which may impact your professional reputation

  
  

Government compliance teams have increased inspection activity, and tenants are encouraged to lodge formal complaints for non-compliant properties.

📌 Landlord Obligations in 2025

With full compliance now mandatory, landlords must:

• Include a Healthy Homes Compliance Statement in every tenancy agreement

• Maintain records showing proof of compliance (photos, receipts, professional assessments)

• Carry out ongoing maintenance to keep insulation, ventilation and heating systems functional

  
  

This isn’t a one-off box to tick — it’s a long-term operational responsibility.

🧩 How This Affects New Zealand’s Real Estate Industry

For professionals across the property and real estate industry in New Zealand, the 1 July 2025 deadline is more than a regulatory update — it’s a shift in rental property expectations.

Investors must now factor in compliance costs, while non-compliant stock may suffer from lower tenant demand and higher vacancy rates.