A healthy rental home needs ongoing attention, not just an assessment filed away at the start. Keep the heating, insulation, ventilation, drainage and draught stopping working as intended, and retain the records that explain the property’s position.
All private rental properties had to meet the Healthy Homes standards by 1 July 2025, unless a relevant exemption applies. The five standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. Damage or changes to the property can affect compliance, so arrange necessary maintenance and update the supporting information.
Use Tenancy Services’ compliance guidance to work through the standards and records. Check any claimed exemption against the actual property and current rules.
New or renewed tenancy agreements must include a signed statement describing the property’s current level of Healthy Homes compliance. Keep assessments, invoices, installation details and maintenance records accessible. The official compliance-statement guidance and template help identify the required information. An old report does not replace responsibility for keeping the property up to standard.
Working smoke alarms are compulsory. They must be within three metres of each bedroom door or in every room where someone sleeps, and on each level of a multi-level home. New alarms must be photoelectric, with a battery life of at least eight years or a hard-wired supply, and meet the required standards. Install and maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Landlords must ensure alarms work at the start of a tenancy and remain in working order. Tenants must report problems promptly, leave alarms connected and replace dead batteries in older alarms with replaceable batteries. Read the full smoke-alarm requirements for the property’s particular setup.
Bring the property’s records and any outstanding work into your rental plan. Use appropriately qualified practitioners for work that requires them, and confirm what your property manager will organise under the management agreement.
Read our Getting Rent Ready guide, or call Ray White Tuakau on 09 236 8447 to discuss your property.