Healthy Homes & Safety

Healthy Homes and Rental Safety

A warm, dry and safe home is central to a good tenancy. For Invercargill and Southland landlords, that means meeting the healthy homes standards, providing working smoke alarms and attending to problems as they arise. Keeping the assessments and maintenance records together makes it easier to arrange work and complete the tenancy paperwork accurately.

The five healthy homes standards

Since 1 July 2025, all private rentals must meet the healthy homes standards unless a relevant exemption applies. The standards cover:

• Heating: suitable fixed heating with enough capacity for the main living room.
• Insulation: ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the applicable requirements.
• Ventilation: opening windows or doors in living spaces and extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Moisture and drainage: effective drainage, with a ground moisture barrier where required.
• Draught stopping: closing unreasonable gaps that cause noticeable draughts.

The Tenancy Services compliance guidance explains the detailed requirements. A suitably qualified provider can assess the home, including heater capacity, insulation condition and any areas that are difficult to access. Keep the assessment, installation details and invoices so you know what has been checked and what work remains.

Tenancy statements and exemptions

New or renewed tenancy agreements need a signed statement describing the home’s current healthy homes compliance. They also need the required insurance and insulation statements. Insurance information includes whether the home is insured and the relevant excess, with additional considerations for body corporate properties. Insulation statements describe its location, type and condition.

If information is missing, follow the official requirements for explaining what could not be obtained and the reasonable efforts made to find it. Keep the supporting records and update the statements when required.

Exemptions may apply to an entire property or to a particular standard. Each has specific conditions and must be included in the tenancy agreement where applicable. A planned renovation or difficult access does not automatically establish an exemption; check the criteria and obtain advice where needed.

Working smoke alarms

Rental homes must have working smoke alarms in every sleeping room or within three metres of each bedroom door, and on each level of a multi-level home. New alarms must be qualifying photoelectric units with a battery life of at least eight years, or hard-wired, and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Landlords must ensure the alarms work at the start of a tenancy and remain working. Tenants must report faults, leave alarms connected and replace dead batteries in older alarms with replaceable batteries. Check expiry dates and record replacements. Tenancy Services explains the alarm and maintenance requirements.

Ongoing care of the home

Compliance continues after the initial assessment. A faulty heater, leaking roof, damaged insulation or blocked drainage needs attention when reported. Inspections and maintenance records help you follow repairs through and keep track of the home’s condition.

Our mould and dampness guide and repairs information explain how tenants can report problems. For immediate danger, call 111.

Help with your rental property

Our local property management team can discuss maintenance and management for your home, including when a separate specialist assessment is needed. Email rentals.invercargill.nz@raywhite.com or call 03 218 6117. You can also explore the management service or request a rental appraisal. Our office is at 33 Arena Avenue, Invercargill. Share tenant documents only through an agreed secure channel.