Healthy Homes Standards

About the standards.

The healthy homes standards, which became law on 1 July 2019, introduced minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties. Landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the standards and continue to do so over time.

When you need to meet the standards.

All rental properties will need to comply with the healthy homes standards by 1 July 2025. Until then, you must make sure that your rental meets the standards within certain time frames. The time frame depends on what type of tenancy it is, or when a new tenancy starts or is renewed.

What happens if you don’t meet the standards.

Landlords who don't meet their obligations under the healthy homes standards are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 – and may face consequences, like financial penalties.

What to include in the tenancy agreement.

New or renewed tenancy agreements must include a signed statement with details of the property’s current level of compliance with the standards.

What records to keep.

Landlords must keep all records and documents that show how they are complying with the healthy homes standards.

These must be made available on request – for example, to the Tenancy Tribunal, or the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations team.

Landlords are committing an unlawful act if they don’t supply the records within 10 working days of a request, and do not have a reasonable excuse. Tenants can also request information about compliance with the healthy homes standards.

Landlords must provide this information to tenants within 21 days.