Healthy Homes Heating Requirements NZ: Landlord Checklist
Quick question - are you reading this as a:
A New Zealand rental needs one or more qualifying fixed heaters that directly heat the main living room, provide at least 1.5 kW, and together meet the room's calculated heating capacity unless a valid exemption or existing-heater rule applies.
Self-managing your rentals?
See RentManager on real data first - no signup, nothing to set up.
The heating rule is not simply "install a heat pump". The heater must be an acceptable fixed type, serve the main living room directly, and have enough output for that particular room. Use the official calculation and keep the result with the property record.
Heating standard checklist
- Identify the largest room used for everyday living.
- Use the Tenancy Services heating assessment tool, the regulations formula, or a qualified professional.
- Confirm the installed heater is fixed, at least 1.5 kW, thermostatically controlled where required, and not an open fire or unflued combustion heater.
- Compare the combined installed output with the calculated requirement.
- Keep the assessment, model details, invoices, photos, and any exemption evidence.
Existing heaters and exceptions
A qualifying heater installed before 1 July 2019 may use the existing-heater tolerance if the detailed conditions are met. Top-up heaters and impracticability exemptions also have specific tests. Do not rely on a salesperson's verbal assurance: record which rule applies and why.
What to record
Record the main living room, required kW, heater type and model, actual kW, installation date, assessment method, and evidence location. Recheck after layout changes or heater replacement. The complete Healthy Homes guide connects heating to the other four standards, while RentManager keeps each standard and its evidence against the property.
Primary source: Tenancy Services heating standard, reviewed 6 September 2026.
Written from my own experience running rentals in New Zealand. It is general information to help you understand your options, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and RentManager is not your lawyer or accountant. Rules change and every tenancy is different - check your own situation with Tenancy Services, the IRD, or a professional before you act on it.