CAB – Your right to a healthy home

You have the legal right to live in a healthy rental home, and it is now illegal for landlords not to meet the Healthy Homes Standards. Since July 1 2025, all rental properties must comply with the standards that first became law in 2019. For more information, visit cab.org.nz and search ‘What are the healthy homes standards?’

All landlords, or their property managers, must carry out a Healthy Homes Standards inspection and provide tenants with a Compliance Statement (see below) confirming how well the property meets the standards.

Landlords who do not meet their obligations are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and may face penalties of up to $7200.

All tenancy agreements must include a separate, signed Healthy Homes Standards Compliance Statement confirming whether the rental meets the standards for:

• insulation,
• heating,
• ventilation,
• moisture ingress and drainage, and
• draught-stopping.

There are limited exemptions, assessed case by case. Some parts of a home may be unsafe or not reasonably practicable to access due to design, restricted access, risk of substantial damage, or health and safety concerns.

If a landlord claims an exemption from any part of the standards, the reasons must be clearly listed in the Compliance Statement.

Tenants have the right to request a copy of the Compliance Statement at any time. It is unlawful for a landlord to fail to have one or to refuse to provide it.

For guidance on what makes a home healthy or not, visit cab.org.nz and search ‘How do I check whether my house is healthy?’ These factors apply whether you rent or own your home.

If you believe your rental home does not meet the Healthy Homes Standards, or your landlord does not respond within a reasonable time, you can take action. Visit cab.org.nz and search ‘My rental home does not meet the healthy homes standards – what can I do?’ This may include applying to the Tenancy Tribunal for a remedy, and CAB can advise and assist you with that.

The Tenancy Services website tenancy.govt.nz also provides clear information for tenants on healthy homes standards and other rental rights and obligations.

For more information and advice. Visit CAB Hibiscus Coast, Ōrewa Community Centre, phone 09 426 5338, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–3.30pm, or visit cab.org.nz.