If you own a rental in New Zealand, the insulation in your ceiling and under your floor is something you now have to be able to account for. Every private rental has had to meet the Healthy Homes standards since 1 July 2025, and insulation is one of the five areas they cover.
This is the practical version: a checklist you can work through for a rental you own or manage. If you want to know what the insulation standard actually says, including the minimum R-values, we cover that separately in what the Healthy Homes insulation standard covers.
Why it is worth getting right
Tenancy Services says that from 1 July 2025 all private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards, and that landlords who breach their obligations face penalties of up to $7,200. You can read the detail on the Tenancy Services healthy homes compliance page.
Beyond the legal side, a rental with sound insulation is simply a more comfortable place to live, which tends to make for happier tenants.
A landlord’s checklist
1. Find out what is already there
Before anything else, know what you have. For the ceiling and the underfloor, note whether there is insulation at all, what type it is, and roughly how thick it is. If you have an old building report, a previous installer’s paperwork or photos from when it went in, keep them handy.
2. Check the condition
Insulation has to be in reasonable condition to count. Tenancy Services describes that as no mould, dampness, damage or gaps. Look for:
- Batts that have slipped, sagged or been squashed flat
- Patches where insulation is missing, often around hatches, downlights and wiring
- Stains, dampness or mould
- Signs of rodents or nesting
Our guides on signs your insulation needs replacing and how to tell if your home needs an upgrade explain what to look for in more detail.
3. Look at the ceiling and the underfloor separately
They are different jobs. Ceiling insulation is usually quick to install, and most ceilings take 1 to 3 hours. Underfloor insulation depends heavily on access beneath the house, and a 100m² home typically takes about a day. Our pages on ceiling insulation and underfloor insulation cover how each is done.
If the ground under the house is damp, that needs sorting before insulation goes in. A ground moisture barrier is often part of the answer.
4. Deal with old loose fill first
Some older rentals have loose fill insulation in the ceiling. If that is the case, it generally needs to come out before new insulation goes in. We offer Insulfluff removal as part of the retrofit process.
5. Complete the compliance statement
New, renewed or varied tenancy agreements must include a compliance statement, and it needs to be signed. For insulation it has to record the R-value or thickness of the insulation in each space, and, where a ceiling or suspended floor has no insulation, the reason why. Tenancy Services sets this out on its compliance statement page, which also notes that leaving the statement out can lead to a penalty of up to $500 for each tenancy.
6. Get the work done by a licensed, insured installer
If the ceiling or underfloor needs insulation or a top-up, use an installer who is licensed and insured, and ask for a clear written quote. Keep the invoice and any photos with your rental records.
Where Coastline fits
We can help with the insulation your rental needs and arrange a Healthy Homes assessment for you. We install retrofit insulation in homes across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hauraki, Gisborne and the East Coast, and the Rotorua and Taupō area. See the areas we cover.
As a guide only, ceiling insulation for a 100m² home usually runs $1,600 to $2,000 and underfloor $2,200 to $2,500. Your quote depends on access and materials.
Get a quote for your rental
Tell us about your rental through our free quote form and we will talk you through what it needs. There is no obligation, and we aim to call you back within 48 hours. Prefer to talk? Call 027 482 0333.