Healthy Homes Checklist

Heating

A fixed heater that can properly heat the main living room.

One or more fixed heaters able to directly heat the main living room to the required capacity (room-size dependent, calculated using the official heating tool or a professional assessment). Any fixed heater used must be at least 1.5kW. Electric resistance heaters alone can't be the sole heat source if the required capacity exceeds 2.4kW. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters don't count. Heat pumps and electric heaters need a thermostat.

Insulation

Ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting current R-values.

Compulsory since 1 July 2019. Climate zones 1 and 2 need ceiling R2.9 / underfloor R1.3; zone 3 needs ceiling R3.3 / underfloor R1.3. Existing ceiling insulation from before 1 July 2016 is acceptable if it's at least 120mm thick, or if it met the standard when installed and hasn't degraded more than 30%.

Ventilation

Openable windows, plus extraction fans in the kitchen and bathroom.

Habitable rooms need openable windows, doors or skylights totalling at least 5% of that room's floor area, fixable in the open position. A kitchen with a cooktop needs an extraction fan (installed after 1 July 2019) of at least 150mm diameter or 50 litres/second. A bathroom with a shower or bath needs a fan of at least 120mm diameter or 25 litres/second.

Moisture ingress and drainage

Working guttering, downpipes, and a subfloor moisture barrier.

Efficient drainage of storm, surface and ground water, with an appropriate outfall, guttering and downpipes. Enclosed subfloors need a ground moisture barrier where it's possible to install one.

Draught stopping

No unreasonable gaps, and unused fireplaces closed off.

No unreasonable or unintentional gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors or doors that cause a noticeable draught. Any unused open fireplace must be closed off or have its chimney blocked.