Require independent Healthy Homes certification and regular compliance audits for rental properties

In New Zealand, too many people live in cold, damp and mouldy rental homes despite the Healthy Homes Standards. Poor housing affects health, education, employment and wellbeing, while also placing avoidable costs on families and the wider health system. A healthy home should not depend on how confident a tenant feels about challenging their landlord, or whether a landlord chooses to comply.

The current system relies heavily on landlords declaring their own compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards, with limited independent auditing. This creates a significant gap between what a property is reported to comply with and what tenants may actually experience. The 2026 Aotearoa Renters’ Survey, conducted by Renters United and ActionStation and involving 3,310 renters across Aotearoa, found that 18.7% of respondents believed their home was probably not up to Healthy Homes Standards. More concerningly, while many respondents had been given evidence or verbal reassurance that their home was Healthy Homes compliant, 42.7% still reported problems with mould, dampness or draughts.[1]

We call for independent Healthy Homes certification and regular compliance checks for rental properties. Independent assessment would provide greater assurance that a property meets the standards, strengthen accountability, and give tenants greater confidence that the home they are renting is genuinely healthy.

Together, we can work towards an Aotearoa where every person can live in housing that is safe, warm, dry and healthy. Please sign and share this petition.

References 

Further reading:  

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/forms-and-resources/healthy-homes-standards-toolkit-for-tenants