Disclaimer:
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Property investment involves risk. Always do your own research and seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making investment decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Provide one or more qualifying fixed heaters that directly heat the main living room and meet its calculated minimum heating capacity.
- The required heating capacity depends on your property's size, location, and insulation level.
- Acceptable heater types and limits depend on the required capacity; open fires and unflued combustion heaters do not qualify.
- The heating assessment tool on the Tenancy Services website calculates your required capacity.
- Check the current standard, any existing-heater rules and any applicable exemption before deciding what work is required.
The Healthy Homes heating standard sets minimum requirements for qualifying heating in rental properties. Here is what landlords need to check.
The Heating Standard
The standard requires one or more fixed heaters that directly heat the main living room. Together they must meet the minimum heating capacity calculated for that room, and each heater must meet the applicable type and capacity rules.
The official calculation establishes the required capacity. A landlord can use the Tenancy Services assessment tool, the regulatory formula, or a professional assessment.
Calculating Required Capacity
The heating capacity required depends on several factors unique to your property:
Factors Affecting Heating Capacity:
- Climate zone: Colder areas require more heating capacity
- Room size: Larger rooms need more powerful heating
- Ceiling height: Higher ceilings mean more air to heat
- Insulation level: Better insulated homes need less heating
- Window area and type: More glazing means more heat loss
The Tenancy Services heating assessment tool is one way to calculate the minimum capacity. The regulatory formula or a professional assessment can also be used.
Acceptable Heating Types
The qualifying heater or heaters must be fixed, directly heat the main living room and meet the calculated capacity. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters are excluded, and additional limits apply to electric heaters other than heat pumps.
Acceptable Heating Options:
- ☐ Heat pumps with a thermostat
- ☐ Wood burners and pellet burners (compliant with regional rules)
- ☐ Flued gas heaters
- ☐ Fixed electric heaters with a thermostat, where the capacity and existing-heater rules allow them
- ☐ Central heating systems
- ☐ Ducted heating systems
Not Acceptable:
- Unflued combustion heaters (do not qualify)
- Open fires (do not qualify)
- Portable heaters (do not qualify)
- Heating in other rooms only (must be in main living room)
Unflued gas heaters are specifically banned because they release harmful combustion products directly into the home, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapour that contributes to dampness.
Heat Pump Considerations
A heat pump can be a qualifying option when it is fixed, has a thermostat and provides the required heating capacity. Compare property-specific installation, performance, maintenance and running-cost factors.
Heat Pump Tips:
- Match the installed qualifying capacity to the official calculation and heater rules
- Position the indoor unit for good air distribution
- Ensure the outdoor unit has adequate clearance and drainage
- Factor in installation costs, which can vary significantly
- Consider ongoing maintenance requirements
When comparing heat pump options, look at the heating output in kW, not just the cooling capacity. The heating output may be lower than cooling capacity, particularly in colder conditions.
What Counts as the Main Living Room?
The main living room is typically the largest room used for general living activities, usually where the household spends most of their waking time. In an open-plan home, it may include the combined living, dining, and kitchen area.
If the space is open plan, measure the entire area for your heating calculation. If rooms are separate, focus on the main living room only; you are not required to provide fixed heating in bedrooms or other rooms.
Installation Requirements
Heating installation must be done safely and correctly:
- Electrical work requires a licensed electrician
- Gas work requires a licensed gasfitter
- Heat pumps should be installed by qualified technicians
- Wood burners may require building consent and must meet regional air quality rules
Keep the calculation, product information and relevant installation or consent records to support the Healthy Homes compliance statement and any later compliance check.
Compliance Statement
Your Healthy Homes compliance statement must include details about the heating provided:
Statement Should Include:
- ☐ Type of heating installed
- ☐ Location of the heating
- ☐ Heating capacity (kW output)
- ☐ Confirmation it meets the calculated requirement
- ☐ Details of any exemptions that apply
Costs and Return on Investment
Heating installation costs vary widely depending on the type and complexity:
- Obtain property-specific heat-pump supply and installation quotes
- Confirm whether a fixed electric heater is permitted for the calculated capacity
- Check wood- or pellet-burner product, consent and regional requirements
- Obtain property-specific flued-gas-heater and installation quotes
Costs vary by property, heater, capacity, installation work and consent requirements. Do not assume a particular rent or vacancy outcome from an installation.
The Bottom Line
Provide qualifying fixed heating that directly heats the main living room and meets the calculated capacity. Use an official calculation option, check heater-specific restrictions and exemptions, and use appropriately qualified installers where required.
Keep the heating calculation and supporting records, maintain installed equipment, and reassess compliance when heating or the property changes. Rental demand, rent and other outcomes are not guaranteed.