Property managers and insulation companies are noticing a huge upsurge in home owners upgrading their houses under new Healthy Homes standards.

Government requirements that came out in 2019 ensured any private house that was rented had to have both ceiling and underfloor insulation, but landlords were given from between 2021 and July 1, 2025 to comply.

LJ Hooker Alexandra property manager Kate Snape said there was a noticeable number of landlords have had assessments on their insulation requirements done in recent months.

Mammoth Modern Insulation company - which is nationwide but has a base in Dunedin, has been seen around Alexandra fitting new insulation into properties.

The Central App spoke to a long-term Mammoth employee who said it was good the government was putting the onus on landlords to upgrade their houses.

“In the past they didn’t have to do it because they weren’t living in them.”

He thought by upgrading the houses to make them warmer, it would encourage tenants to take more pride in their property as well.

Kate said the rental market has changed, with many new properties becoming vacant in Cromwell and Alexandra, as low interest rates allowed more first home owners back into the market.

With new families moving into the area and the rental market opening up, people are being given more options, she said.

Find more information about the new standards here.