Ensuring your rental property meets NZ’s Healthy Homes Standards is now an ongoing responsibility, and regular heat pump maintenance plays a central role.

As of 1 July 2025, all private rental homes
in New Zealand must fully comply with the Healthy Homes Standards, including the requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control and draught stopping. There is no longer a grace period tied to new or renewed tenancies. If your property isn’t compliant, you risk penalties and legal action under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

For many homes, heat pumps are the most effective way to meet the heating standard, but compliance doesn’t end with installation. To protect tenant health and legal compliance, landlords must maintain heat pumps properly throughout the tenancy.

Why Maintaining Heat Pumps Matters for Healthy Homes Compliance

1. Healthy Indoor Air = Fewer Respiratory Issues

Poor heating and ventilation are linked to cold, damp housing, which research shows significantly increases the risk of respiratory problems, mould growth, and other health issues.

Regular servicing and deep cleaning ensure that your heat pump:

• Filters dust, pollen, and allergens before they circulate
• Reduces bacteria and mould growth inside the system
• Keeps indoor air cleaner and safer for tenants

Healthy homes aren’t just about reaching 18°C, they’re about breathable air quality, especially in winter when spaces are closed up.

2. Legal Obligations: Landlords Must Maintain Heat Pumps

Under the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords are responsible for maintaining heating and ventilation systems in good working order. Tenants must keep equipment reasonably clean and tidy, but landlords must ensure the system is serviced and functional.

This means that:

• Routine servicing by a qualified technician isn’t optional, it supports compliance.
• Basic tenant tasks (like accessible filter cleaning) don’t replace professional maintenance.
• Record keeping is essential: documentation of servicing helps demonstrate compliance if ever reviewed.

3. Keep Your Heat Pump Efficient & Compliant

Regular maintenance provides benefits beyond regulatory compliance:

Energy Efficiency
A well-maintained heat pump runs more efficiently, meaning:

• Lower power bills for tenants
• Better heating performance (important for reaching the 18°C minimum requirement)
• Less strain on components

This directly supports the Healthy Homes objective of creating warmer, drier, healthier living environments.

Longer Equipment Lifespan
Scheduled servicing and deep cleaning delay wear and tear, postponing costly replacements. It’s both good tenant care and good property investment.

4. What Does Proper Maintenance Look Like?

Tenant Responsibilities (simple upkeep)

• Wiping down accessible filters
• Keeping outdoor units clear of debris

Landlord/Property Manager Responsibilities (professional care)

• Annual servicing by licensed technician
• Deep cleaning coils, drain lines and filters
• Verifying thermostat and airflow performance
• Documenting all maintenance work

This division ensures tenants aren’t expected to perform tasks that require professional tools or skills, while landlords meet their legal obligations to maintain the device in working order.

5. More Than Just Heating: The Holistic Healthy Homes Approach

Remember: the Healthy Homes Standards aren’t only about heating. They also govern:

• Insulation (ceiling and underfloor)
• Ventilation (openable windows + extractor fans)
• Moisture ingress & drainage
• Draught stopping

Meeting all of these standards, and maintaining them over time, is the key to compliance and tenant well-being.

Final Takeaway for Landlords & Property Managers

Installing a compliant heat pump is the start, not the finish, of creating a healthier home.

To stay compliant with the Healthy Homes Standards and protect both your tenants and your investment, it’s essential to:

• Treat heat pump maintenance as an ongoing compliance requirement
• Schedule annual servicing + deep cleaning after installation
• Provide clear documentation of all maintenance work
• Support tenants with basic filter care instructions

Your proactive approach not only meets legal requirements, it also boosts tenant satisfaction, reduces complaints, lowers running costs, and extends the life of your heating system, making it a win for everyone.

How High Tech HVAC Helps You Stay Healthy Homes Compliant

At High Tech HVAC, we work with landlords, property managers, and homeowners across Auckland to ensure heat pumps don’t just meet the Healthy Homes Standards at installation, but remain compliant for the life of the tenancy.

With a background in manufacturer-level commissioning and technical diagnostics, our approach goes beyond surface-level servicing. We focus on performance, hygiene, and documented compliance, so you can be confident your heating system is doing what the regulations, and your tenants, expect.

Our Healthy Homes–aligned services include:

• Annual heat pump servicing to maintain heating performance and reliability
• Professional deep cleaning of coils, fans, drain systems and internal components
• System performance checks to ensure effective heat output and airflow
• Maintenance documentation suitable for property management records and compliance audits
• Practical guidance for tenants on filter care and system operation

Whether you manage one rental or an entire portfolio, we help remove uncertainty by giving you clear evidence that your heating system is being properly maintained.