If you own or manage a rental property in New Zealand, understanding the Healthy Homes Compliance Statement is an important part of meeting your responsibilities as a landlord.
The statement records how a rental property complies with the Healthy Homes Standards, covering heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. Since 1 July 2025, all private rentals must comply with the standards.
This guide explains what a Healthy Homes Compliance Statement covers and provides a practical checklist for reviewing your rental property.
What Is a Healthy Homes Compliance Statement?
A Healthy Homes Compliance Statement provides information about whether a rental property meets New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Standards. New, renewed or varied tenancy agreements must include a signed statement showing the property’s current level of compliance.
The standards focus on five main areas:
- Heating
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Moisture ingress and drainage
- Draught stopping
Healthy Homes Compliance Statement Checklist
Before completing or reviewing your statement, check each of the five Healthy Homes areas.
1. Heating
The main living room must have qualifying fixed heating capable of meeting the required heating capacity.
- What type of heater is installed?
- Is it fixed rather than portable?
- Does it provide sufficient heating capacity?
- Is it in working condition?
The required heating capacity depends on factors such as the size and characteristics of the living space. Use the official New Zealand heating calculator where required.
2. Insulation
Rental properties must meet applicable ceiling and underfloor insulation requirements.
- Whether ceiling insulation is installed
- Whether underfloor insulation is required and installed
- The condition of existing insulation
- Whether insulation meets the applicable standard
Older insulation may need to be checked even if the property previously complied with earlier insulation requirements.
3. Ventilation
Habitable rooms generally need suitable windows, doors or other openings to the outside. Kitchens and bathrooms also have specific ventilation requirements.
- Openable windows or doors in qualifying rooms
- Kitchen extractor fan
- Bathroom extractor fan
- Whether extractor fans vent outdoors
- Whether ventilation equipment works correctly
4. Moisture Ingress and Drainage
Rental properties must have appropriate drainage systems to remove water from areas such as the roof.
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- Drains
- Roof drainage
- Surface-water management
Some properties with enclosed subfloor spaces may also require a ground moisture barrier.
5. Draught Stopping
Landlords need to address unreasonable gaps or holes that cause noticeable draughts.
- Windows
- Exterior doors
- Floors
- Walls and ceilings
- Unused fireplaces
What Information Should the Statement Include?
The compliance statement should contain information relating to how the property meets the Healthy Homes Standards. This can include details about heating equipment and capacity, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, ground moisture barriers where applicable, and draught stopping.
Landlords should keep supporting records such as assessments, invoices, photographs and documentation relating to installed equipment.
Do All Rental Properties Need to Meet Healthy Homes Standards?
All New Zealand rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards as of 1 July 2025, although specific exemptions can apply in limited situations. Do not assume a property is exempt simply because it is old or has unusual construction. Check the applicable official guidance before recording the property as compliant.
Free Healthy Homes Pre-Check NZ
Review heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in one guided checklist.
Start Free Healthy Homes Pre-Check →
This tool is a pre-check only and does not provide official certification.
Common Compliance Mistakes
- Assuming an existing heater automatically meets the heating requirement
- Missing extractor fans in kitchens or bathrooms
- Insulation that is damaged or insufficient
- Missing ground moisture barriers where required
- Unsealed gaps causing draughts
- Poor drainage or damaged gutters
- Failing to keep evidence supporting compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five Healthy Homes Standards?
They cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.
What is a Healthy Homes Compliance Statement?
It records information about how a rental property complies with the Healthy Homes Standards and must accompany relevant tenancy agreements.
Do I need a Healthy Homes assessment?
Property owners need to determine whether their rental property meets the applicable standards. Professional assessment may be useful where compliance cannot be confidently determined.
Can I check Healthy Homes compliance myself?
You can perform an initial review using a checklist, but some requirements—particularly heating capacity and insulation—may require accurate measurements or professional assessment.
Is a Healthy Homes Pre-Check an official certification?
No. An online pre-check can help identify potential issues but is not official certification or a legal compliance determination.
Official Sources
- Tenancy Services: Healthy Homes compliance statement
- Tenancy Services: Healthy Homes compliance requirements
- Tenancy Services: Healthy Homes Standards
Final Thoughts
A Healthy Homes Compliance Statement should accurately reflect whether a New Zealand rental property meets the required standards. Review heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping individually, then use the Healthy Homes Checklist NZ for an initial property pre-check.
