Renting in 2025: What the new laws mean for you

2025 has already brought some important changes for renters - from new protections around family violence to clearer rules about smoking inside rental properties.

 The way notices and documents are delivered has also been modernised, making communication with landlords and property managers a little easier. These changes are all about making renting safer, fairer and more secure.

If you’d like to know more, you can visit tenancy.govt.nz for a full update.

One of the biggest shifts this year is all about Healthy Homes.

From 1 July 2025, all private rental properties in New Zealand must fully meet the Healthy Homes Standards. That means your rental should meet specific requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage - helping to ensure warmer, drier, safer living conditions.

The Healthy Homes Standards are designed to lift the quality of rental homes across the country.

They're about making sure every rental property is better equipped for healthy, comfortable living, not just at the start of a tenancy, but ongoing.

If you're unsure whether your home meets the standards, or you have concerns about heating, dampness or ventilation, talk to your Barfoot & Thompson Property Manager. We’re here to help make sure every rental property is a safe, compliant and comfortable place to live.