Healthy Homes Standards: A Guide for Rodney Landlords (2026 Update)

The deadline has passed. As of July 1, 2025, all private rental properties in New Zealand must fully comply with the Healthy Homes Standards.

In the Rodney district, compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes on a government form; it’s about combatting the specific challenges of our region—high humidity, older farmhouse stock, and rural drainage.

If you are a landlord in Warkworth, Wellsford, or the Mahurangi Peninsula, here is what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law (and your tenants).

1. The 5 Key Standards (The “Must-Haves”)

If your property fails any one of these, you are liable for a penalty of up to $7,200 at the Tenancy Tribunal.

1. Heating

• The Rule: The main living room must have a fixed heater capable of heating the room to 18°C on the coldest day of the year.
• The Rodney Reality: Portable plug-in heaters do not count. In our older, high-stud villas or farmhouses, a standard heat pump might be undersized. You must use the Heating Assessment Tool to prove your capacity is sufficient.
• Note on Woodburners: Many rural Rodney homes rely on woodburners. These are compliant if they meet the capacity rules, but open fires generally are not efficient enough to be the sole source of heat.

2. Insulation

• The Rule: Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet the 2008 Building Code standards (minimum 120mm thick for ceilings).
• The Rodney Reality: Many homes here have “settled” insulation. If your ceiling batts have flattened to less than 120mm, they need topping up.

3. Ventilation

• The Rule: All kitchens and bathrooms must have mechanical extractor fans that vent to the outside.
• The Rodney Reality: In older baches at Snells Beach or Algies Bay, it was common to just “open a window.” This is no longer legal. Fans must be installed.

4. Moisture & Drainage

• The Rule: Properties must have efficient drainage and guttering. If the property has an enclosed subfloor, a Ground Moisture Barrier (polythene sheet) must be installed.
• The Rodney Reality: This is the #1 failure point we see in Wellsford and Warkworth. Our clay soils hold moisture. If you have a damp smell in the house, it is often rising damp from the subfloor. A barrier is cheap (approx $600–$800) and solves this instantly.

5. Draught Stopping

• The Rule: There must be no unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors.
• The Rodney Reality: In older weatherboard homes, sash windows are notorious for gaps. These must be sealed.

2. The “Rodney Specials”: Beyond the Legislation

While not strictly part of the “Healthy Homes Standards,” these two issues are critical for landlords in our district. Failing to manage them can lead to “Breach of Duty” claims.

Septic Tanks (Wastewater)

• The Issue: Over 40% of our rentals are on septic systems.
• Your Obligation: As a landlord, you are responsible for the system’s maintenance. You must have the tank pumped out regularly (usually every 3 years for older systems, or 6-monthly service checks for modern aerated systems).
• The Risk: If a tank fails because you didn’t service it, the tenant can claim compensation for “uninhabitable premises.”

Water Tanks (Potable Water)

• • The Issue: For rural rentals, you are the water supplier.
  • Your Obligation: You must ensure the water is safe to drink. We recommend an annual tank clean or inspection and installing UV filtration.

The Risk: If a tenant gets sick from E. coli in the water (from birds/possums on the roof), you could be liable.

3. Compliance vs. “Good Landlord”

In 2026, tenants are savvy. They check the Compliance Statement on the tenancy agreement before they sign.

• The “bare minimum” property sits vacant for weeks.
• The “warm and dry” property rents immediately.

We are seeing a trend where tenants are specifically asking: “Does it have a SmartVent/DVS?” While not mandatory, Positive Pressure Ventilation systems are the single best investment to protect your asset from mould in our humid climate.

Are you 100% sure you are compliant?

The laws changed frequently between 2021 and 2025. If you are relying on an assessment done three years ago, it may be out of date.

Book a Healthy Homes Audit We work with certified independent assessors who will check your property against the 5 Standards + Septic/Water safety.