Healthy Homes Manawatu – Standards

With more than 600,000 Kiwi families living in rental homes of which many appeared to be of low to poor quality according to research, the New Zealand government introduced new minimum Healthy Homes Standards in 2019 that have now come into effect. By improving the quality of those rental properties and getting rid of cold, mouldy and damp homes, it aims to also improve the health and wellbeing of the occupants and lowering the risk of illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and other pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.

What are the Healthy Homes Standards?

Heating

The minimum temperature for living rooms is set to be at least 18 degrees Celsius, and there has to be a fixed heating device that can achieve and maintain this temperature 24/7. Heating devices that lack in efficiency or are deemed unhealthy and unaffordable will not meet compliance. More

Insulation

Any new ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet the 2008 Building Code. Existing insulation has to be at least 120mm thick with no signs of dampness, damage or displacement. More

Ventilation

Every habitable space including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen and dining rooms must have windows that can be opened to allow proper air circulation. Windows have to be at least 5% of the floor area of that space. Bathrooms, showers and indoor cooking facilities need to be equipped with an appropriately sized extraction fan or rangehood that is vented outside. More

Moisture ingress and drainage

As per existing legal requirements, landlords must have adequate drainage and guttering to remove storm, ground and surface water. Rental properties with enclosed subfloor space also need an on-ground moisture barrier to ensure no moisture can rise into the home. More

Draught stopping

To avoid unreasonable draughts, all gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors and doors need to be sufficiently blocked. Unused open fireplaces and chimneys also need to be sealed in order to keep houses warm. More

Timeframes

1 July 2019

Ceiling and underfloor insulation becomes compulsory in all rental homes if it is practical to install. For any new, varied or renewed tenancy agreement, landlords have to sign a statement of intent to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards in addition to the existing requirement of providing a signed insulation statement, explaining the kind of insulation and its location.

1 December 2020

For most new or renewed tenancy agreements, landlords must include a compliance statement outlining which level of compliance their property currently has for each of the new standards. The statement is not required for fixed-term tenancies if they end before the compliance dates come into effect. Landlords that fail to adhere to this can be fined up to $500 or be served with an infringement notice.

1 July 2021

Private landlords have 90 days from the beginning of a new or renewed tenancy to comply with the new Healthy Homes Standards. All boarding houses except those belonging to Kāinga Ora must comply.

1 July 2023

All Kāinga Ora rental properties, boarding houses and those belonging to registered community housing providers must meet the new standards.

1 July 2025

All rental properties must meet the 2019 Healthy Homes Standards.

Exemptions

Under certain circumstances, landlords can be granted an exemption to comply with any or all of the new Healthy Homes Standards. Reasons to grant an exemption include the rental property being about to be demolished or substantially rebuilt. Most exemptions will be granted for a period of 12 months before they expire. Should a landlord receive an exemption, a compliance statement still needs to be issued clearly explaining the exemption and circumstances on why and how it was obtained.

For more information, visit the MBIE Tenancy Services website.