Healthy Homes Standards

For a rental in Warkworth, Wellsford, Snells Beach or the wider Rodney and Kaipara districts, assess the actual property and keep the evidence. A home’s age, appearance or a newly installed heat pump does not by itself establish Healthy Homes compliance.

The compliance date has passed

All private rental properties were required to comply by 1 July 2025, unless a relevant exemption applies. Compliance is ongoing: equipment and building features must continue to meet the requirements. See Tenancy Services’ compliance guidance.

Check all five standards

• Heating: check the required heating capacity for the main living room and whether the installed fixed heater qualifies.
• Insulation: establish the relevant ceiling and underfloor requirements, condition and evidence. A blanket “120 mm” rule is not a complete assessment.
• Ventilation: check the applicable room-opening and kitchen/bathroom extraction requirements, including qualifying alternatives.
• Moisture ingress and drainage: assess drainage and, where required, a ground moisture barrier beneath an enclosed subfloor.
• Draught stopping: identify unreasonable gaps and holes and address relevant open fireplaces.

Use the individual standards and assessment tools on the Tenancy Services Healthy Homes website. A qualified assessor can help interpret what applies to the particular building.

Older homes and new builds

For an older home, obtain evidence of insulation type, performance and condition instead of relying only on thickness. For a new build, keep the relevant specifications and compliance records and check all five standards. Building age is not a substitute for a documented rental assessment. Read the detailed insulation standard.

Exemptions need a specific basis

Exemptions may apply to part of a standard or in particular circumstances. They are not a general permission to leave a property unmaintained. Establish the basis, retain evidence and record applicable exemptions in the tenancy agreement. Check the current exemption guidance.

Keep a property file and a maintenance plan

Retain assessments, heating calculations, installation records, photographs, invoices and the required tenancy statements. Update records after changes to the building or equipment. New or renewed tenancy agreements need the relevant compliance information; use the official statement requirements.

For coastal homes, include exposed fixtures and drainage in the maintenance conversation. For a rural rental, explain access to systems and who tenants should contact when a problem appears. An inspection should identify issues for investigation rather than assume dampness has a single cause.

Discuss your rental

Use the form below to contact Nicole Banks about the information available for your property and the next practical step. You can also request a rental appraisal or find the rental team’s contact details.

By Nicole Banks. Updated 15 September 2026. This overview links to the current official requirements; use property-specific professional advice where needed.