Local Media

The Healthy Homes Standards introduced in New Zealand are a good step in the right direction. They’ve helped lift the baseline for rental property compliance, and in many cases, they’ve made a real difference for tenants.

But after working with hundreds of landlords and properties across the country, there are a few areas we think could be improved. Here’s what we’d tweak.

Here’s what we’d tweak.

1. Bring Back the 120-Day Grace Period

One of the most helpful (and short-lived) parts of the standards was the 120-day grace period, which applied to new tenancies for a while. It gave landlords a bit of breathing room to get properties up to standard - particularly useful for new investors who’ve just bought a rental.

Right now, landlords are expected to be compliant almost immediately. But if you’ve just settled on a property and are still juggling finance, ownership changes, and tradespeople, that’s not always practical. Reinstating the 120 day window would make the process far more workable and reduce stress during an already busy transition.

2. Require Annual Heat Pump Servicing

Heat pumps are the go to solution for meeting the heating standard. But here’s the thing - they only work well if they’re maintained.

Most landlords install a heat pump and then forget about it. Over time, dust builds up, performance drops, and the power bill goes up. Tenants often don’t realise the unit’s underperforming until winter hits. If we really want to make homes warm and efficient, a basic annual service should be required under the Healthy Homes Standards.

3. Add a Requirement for Window Stays

Ventilation is key to a dry and healthy home. But many tenants feel they can’t leave windows open, especially if they live on the ground floor or in busy neighbourhoods.

A simple solution? Window stays. These limit how far a window can open, so tenants can safely leave a bit of airflow going without worrying about security. It’s a small addition that could make a big impact.

4. Tackle Rising Power Prices with Smart Hot Water Control

This one’s a bit outside the box, but hear us out.

Power prices are climbing fast. Just today, one of our team got a notice that their peak rate is jumping to 62 cents per kilowatt. That’s huge - and hot water is often one of the biggest users of electricity in a home.

One idea is to require hot water cylinders to have a Bluetooth or smart timer, so tenants can customise when their hot water heats up - avoiding those pricey peak times. It’s better for the power grid, the environment, and the tenant’s wallet.

5. Waterproof Subgrade Walls

Lastly, a technical but important one. Any external walls that are subgrade - meaning they sit below ground level or back onto soil - are especially prone to moisture ingress.

Adding a requirement for waterproofing subgrade walls would help reduce internal moisture, protect tenants’ health, and preserve the property’s structure over time.

Final Thoughts

The Healthy Homes Standards have definitely lifted the quality of rental properties in New Zealand - but like any regulation, there’s room for fine tuning. We’d love to see future updates that make the standards even more practical, energy-efficient, and focused on real world issues landlords and tenants face.

If you’re a landlord trying to keep up with changing regulations, we’re here to help. Our property management services include Healthy Homes compliance support, routine inspections, and maintenance coordination - everything you need to stay on top of your legal obligations without the hassle.

Get in touch with your local Propertyscouts team today for help managing your rental the smart way.