Smoke Alarms, Insulation and Safety.

Smoke Alarms, Insulation, and Safety: What’s Legally Required in Your Rental

New Zealand law requires all rental properties to meet specific safety standards — not just for comfort, but to save lives.

Smoke Alarms

• Must be installed in every bedroom or within 3 metres of bedrooms
• Must be working at the start of a tenancy
• Tenants are responsible for changing batteries (if replaceable)

Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $4,000 for landlords.

Insulation Requirements

Since 2019, all rental homes must have:

• Ceiling insulation
• Underfloor insulation (if accessible)

Properties must meet minimum R-values based on region. Rentall organises inspections and top-ups for landlords.

General Safety

• Locks: Must be adequate to secure the home
• Glass: Damaged or dangerous glazing must be replaced
• Electrical: All appliances provided by the landlord must be safe to use

Rentall’s Compliance Service

We track insulation status, test alarms during inspections, and organise safety upgrades — giving tenants peace of mind and landlords legal protection.

Make safety simple — Rentall handles compliance so you don’t have to.