Healthy Homes checklist for NZ rentals

Fixed heating in the main living room, big enough for that room.

• Main living room identified (the largest living room, if there is more than one)

  Open plan spaces that cannot be closed off count as part of the room.

• At least one fixed heater is in the main living room, or feeds heat directly into it

  Plug-in portable heaters do not count.

• The heating relied on is not an open fire or an unflued gas heater

  A portable LPG bottle heater is unflued.

• Each heater relied on is rated at 1.5 kW or more

  Check the rating plate, invoice or model number.

• Every heat pump or electric heater relied on has a thermostat
• Required heating capacity worked out with the official heating assessment tool, and the result saved

  Run it for this address and this room.

• Total capacity of the qualifying heaters meets the required figure

  Older heaters may pass under the tolerance or top-up rules at tenancy.govt.nz.

• If the room needs more than 2.4 kW, it is not relying on an electric heater other than a heat pump
• Heater switched on and tested: it runs, heats the room and the controls work

Ceiling and underfloor insulation wherever it can reasonably go, in reasonable condition.

• Ceiling insulation covers the ceiling above every living space

  Look from the hatch with a torch. Only go in if it is safe.

• Ceiling insulation is even and complete, with no gaps, compressed patches, damp, mould or vermin damage
• Ceiling R-value found, or thickness measured and written down

  Ceiling insulation from before 1 July 2016 generally needs to be at least 120 mm thick. Newer insulation must meet the R-value for your zone.

• Insulation fitted under every suspended floor of a living space

  A concrete slab floor has no underfloor space to insulate.

• Underfloor insulation is fixed in place, not sagging, torn or damp
• Underfloor R-value known from a label, invoice or installer's statement

  For floors, the statement needs the R-value when installed.

• Wall insulation noted as all, some, none or unknown

  Not required, but the insulation statement asks about walls.

• Any area that cannot be insulated has a written reason on file, ideally from a professional installer

Windows that open in the rooms people live in, and fans where the steam is.

• Every bedroom, living room, dining room and kitchen has a window, door or skylight that opens to the outside
• Those openings can be fixed in the open position

  A stay or latch, not a prop.

• In each of those rooms, the openable area adds up to at least 5% of the floor area

  The ventilation guidance at tenancy.govt.nz shows how to measure it.

• Kitchen rangehood or extractor fan vents to the outside

  A recirculating hood does not vent anywhere.

• Every room with a shower or bath has an extractor fan venting to the outside
• Fans installed after 1 July 2019 meet the minimum size or flow

  Kitchen 150 mm or 50 L/s. Bathroom 120 mm or 25 L/s.

• Each fan tested: it runs, pulls air, and the outside flap or vent opens
• Diameter or exhaust capacity of each fan written down

  The compliance statement asks for it.

Rainwater carried away from the house, and a ground moisture barrier under any enclosed subfloor.

• Gutters run along every roof edge and are intact, firmly fixed and clear
• Every gutter drains to a downpipe, and nothing overflows in heavy rain
• Every downpipe discharges to a stormwater drain or other appropriate outfall

  Not onto the ground beside the foundations.

• No water pooling against the house or under it after rain
• Worked out whether the subfloor is enclosed

  Enclosed means airflow is significantly blocked along at least half the perimeter.

• An enclosed subfloor has a ground moisture barrier covering the ground

  Usually polythene sheet laid to NZS 4246:2016.

• The barrier is undamaged and held in place
• If a barrier cannot practicably be installed, a professional installer's written reason is on file

No unreasonable gaps or holes letting draughts in or out, and unused open fireplaces closed off.

• Walked the house on a cold or windy day feeling for draughts at doors, windows, skirting and floors
• No gaps letting air through that are wider than about 3 mm

  Tenancy Services rule of thumb: if the edge of a $2 coin fits, seal it.

• Exterior doors close firmly with no large gap at the bottom
• Windows and skylights close tightly, with sound hinges, catches and latches
• No gaps where walls meet ceilings or floors, or around the ceiling hatch
• Gaps around pipes, cables and unused vents are sealed
• Any open fireplace is closed off or its chimney blocked, unless the tenant has asked in writing to use it

Keep evidence of how the rental complies. A tenant can ask for it, and you have 21 days to provide it.

• Heating assessment tool result for the main living room, dated
• Heater invoice or manual showing make, model and kW, plus a photo of the rating plate
• Insulation evidence: installer's statement, product label or invoice showing R-value, and dated photos
• Extractor fan invoices or product details showing diameter or flow rate
• Dated photos of the ground moisture barrier, taken before the subfloor was closed up
• Gutter, downpipe and drain invoices, and notes from a wet weather check
• Before and after photos of draught stopping work, and any fireplace closure
• Written reasons for any exemption, and the tenant's written request if a fireplace is left usable
• A copy of the signed compliance statement for each tenancy