As a landlord in New Zealand, ensuring your rental property meets the Healthy Homes Standards by 2025 is essential. These standards are designed to create warmer, drier, and healthier homes for tenants, but they also come with strict requirements and fines for noncompliance.
To help you avoid this, we’ve broken down what you need to focus on to ensure your rental property is ready in time.
Heating
One of the key requirements is having proper heating. Your rental must have a fixed heater that can heat the main living area to at least 18°C, so portable heaters or older systems may not cut it.
- The best heating options include:
- Heat pumps
- Wood burners
- Flued gas heaters
Tip: Review your current heating setup. Upgrading to an energy-efficient system like a heat pump will make your property more comfortable and meet compliance requirements.
Insulation
Proper insulation is key to keeping homes warm and energy-efficient. The Healthy Homes Standards require that ceiling and underfloor insulation meet minimum R-values, measuring how well insulation resists heat flow. These requirements depend on your location.
- Ceiling insulation:
- R 2.9 for most of New Zealand (Zones 1 and 2).
- R 3.3 for colder areas (Zone 3), including regions like the Central Plateau and Southland.
- Underfloor insulation:
- R 1.3 minimum across all regions.
Tip: If your insulation was installed before 1 July 2016, you must check that it still meets the above standards. Insulation can settle and degrade over time, so it may need replacing or topping up to comply.
If you’re unsure whether your insulation meets the required R-values, GForce can help with a professional home assessment. It’s better to check now than risk missing the 2025 deadline!
Ventilation
Good ventilation is essential for keeping a home dry and healthy. This means:
- Windows that can open in living areas and bedrooms
- Extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture
Tip: Ensure your extractor fans are up to standard and functioning well. Proper ventilation prevents mould and keeps your property healthier.
Moisture Ingress and Drainage
Moisture problems can damage your property and negatively impact tenants’ health. The standards require adequate drainage systems, such as gutters and downpipes, to prevent moisture from entering the home. A ground moisture barrier is also required if your property has an enclosed subfloor.
Tip: Regularly check your property’s drainage systems. Fixing any issues early will save you from costly repairs later.
Draught Stopping
To comply with the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords must block any unnecessary gaps or holes that allow cold draughts into the home. This includes:
- Windows
- Doors
- Floors
- Walls
Tip: Check for draughts around doors and windows, especially on windy days. Sealing these gaps is a simple, cost-effective way to make your rental more comfortable and compliant.
What Happens If Your Rental Isn’t Compliant?
You could face serious penalties if your rental property doesn’t meet the Healthy Homes Standards by 1 July 2025. Landlords who fail to comply can be fined up to $7,200 per breach. Ensuring your property meets the standards protects your tenants’ health and saves you from these costly fines.
Take the Guesswork Out of Healthy Homes Compliance
Unsure if your rental is compliant? Don’t worry—our partner, GForce, offers full home assessments to help you meet the Healthy Homes Standards. From checking your insulation to identifying draught issues, GForce provides expert advice and solutions to ensure your property is compliant well before the 2025 deadline.
Book your home assessment with GForce today to avoid fines and ensure your rental is Healthy Homes compliant. It’s a simple step to protect your investment and tenants.
By focusing on these key areas—heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, and draught stopping—you’ll keep your tenants safe, warm, and comfortable while ensuring your property is compliant. Plus, you’ll avoid the risk of costly fines!
If you need further guidance, our Angels are here to help, contact us today. Let’s get your rental ready for 2025!