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Healthy Homes Compliance Guide
The Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) were introduced to ensure that every New Zealander has a warm, dry, and safe place to call home. As of July 1, 2025, the transition period has ended. All private rental properties must now be fully compliant with the standards, regardless of when the tenancy began.
Failure to comply is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act and can result in exemplary damages of up to $7,200 per standard breached.
The 5 Pillars of Compliance
To meet the 2025 requirements, your property must pass these five specific technical tests:
1. Heating Standard
- Requirement: The main living room must have one or more fixed heaters that can heat the space to at least 18°C.
- Morrinsville Context: In the Waikato’s damp winters, a high-quality heat pump is the gold standard. Portable heaters and open fires are not compliant.
2. Insulation Standard
- Requirement: Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet the minimum R-value requirements.
- 2025 Update: Most properties in the Matamata-Piako district require a minimum R-value of 2.9 for ceilings and 1.3 for underfloor. If your insulation is compressed or damp, it must be replaced.
3. Ventilation Standard
- Requirement: Every “habitable” room (bedrooms, living, kitchen) must have at least one window or door that opens to the outside.
- Extraction Fans: Kitchens must have an extractor fan vented outside (minimum 150mm diameter), and bathrooms must have one vented outside (minimum 120mm diameter).
4. Moisture Ingress & Drainage Standard
- Requirement: Properties must have efficient drainage for stormwater and groundwater.
- Ground Moisture Barrier: If your rental has an enclosed sub-floor space (common in older Morrinsville bungalows), you must have a polythene ground moisture barrier installed to prevent dampness from rising into the home.
5. Draught Stopping Standard
- Requirement: Landlords must block any “unreasonable” gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors, and doors that cause noticeable draughts.
- Fireplaces: Unused open fireplaces must be closed or the chimney sealed.
Important Deadlines & Documentation
- The Final Deadline:1 July 2025. If your property is not compliant today, you are at risk of legal action from tenants or the Tenancy Tribunal.
- Compliance Statements: Every new, varied, or renewed tenancy agreement must include a signed Healthy Homes Compliance Statement. This document details exactly how the property meets each of the five standards.
- Record Keeping: You must keep all receipts, certificates, and photos as proof of compliance for at least seven years after the tenancy ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: My house was built in 2020. Is it automatically compliant?
A: Not necessarily. While “New Builds” generally meet higher standards, the Healthy Homes requirements for ventilation (extractor fans) and heating capacity are specific and sometimes differ from the Building Code. You still need an official assessment.
Q: Can I do the assessment myself?
A: Technically yes, but it is highly discouraged. Given the $7,200 fine per breach, the risk of a “math error” in your heating calculations or a missed gap in the draught-stopping is too high. A professional assessment typically costs around $250.
Q: Are there any exemptions?
A: Very few. Exemptions are usually only granted if it is “physically impossible” to install something (e.g., no space under the house for insulation) or if the property is due for a substantial rebuild or demolition within 12 months.