Extractor fans are one of the most common Healthy Homes issues found in Auckland rental properties. A fan may look present from inside the bathroom or kitchen, but the real compliance risk is often whether it is correctly sized, operational and discharging extracted air to the outside.
Official reference: For official wording, check Tenancy Services guidance on the Healthy Homes ventilation standard and compliance statement requirements. Tenancy Services ventilation standard Tenancy Services compliance statement
What the Ventilation Standard Means for Extractor Fans
Under the Healthy Homes ventilation standard, rooms with an indoor cooktop, bath or shower generally need extractor fans or a qualifying continuous mechanical ventilation system that removes air to the outdoors.
For a practical property check, the key issues are: is the fan present, does it work, where does it discharge, and is there enough evidence to support the compliance statement?
Kitchen Extractor Fan Requirements
For new fans installed after 1 July 2019, kitchen extractor fans or rangehoods in rooms with a cooktop generally need a minimum diameter including ducting of 150mm or an exhaust capacity of at least 50 litres per second.
Common site issues include recirculating rangehoods, missing ducting, ducting that stops inside a ceiling cavity, damaged flexible ducting, or weak extraction at the time of inspection.
Bathroom Extractor Fan Requirements
For new fans installed after 1 July 2019, bathroom extractor fans in rooms with a shower or bath generally need a minimum diameter including ducting of 120mm or an exhaust capacity of at least 25 litres per second.
In older bathrooms, the fan may be present but noisy, weak, disconnected, blocked by lint, or discharging into the roof space rather than outside.
Existing Fans vs New Fans
The date of installation matters. Existing extractor fans may be treated differently from new fans, but they still need to ventilate to the outdoors and be maintained in good working order.
Because installation date, diameter and exhaust capacity can be hard to confirm visually, landlords should keep records, invoices, product specifications and installer notes where available.
What We Check On Site
We check whether fans are present in the relevant kitchen and bathroom areas, whether they operate at the time of inspection where testable, whether visible ducting appears connected, and whether there are moisture-related warning signs around ceilings, walls, roof space or external vents.
A visual Healthy Homes assessment is not the same as a full mechanical airflow test unless specifically arranged. Where information is missing, further confirmation may be recommended.
Practical Inspection Checklist
This checklist is designed for practical site visibility. It is not a substitute for legal advice or specialist testing where required.
Common Issues We Find
- Recirculating kitchen rangehood installed instead of ducted extraction
- Bathroom fan duct stops inside roof space
- Ducting disconnected or damaged in the ceiling cavity
- External grille blocked or painted over
- Fan installed but too small for post-2019 requirements
- No record of fan diameter or exhaust capacity
- Fan noisy, weak or not operating at inspection time
Need a Healthy Homes Assessment?
Send the property address, listing link if available, property type and any known issues. We can help you turn visible concerns into a practical repair or further-checking list.
Phone: 022 193 5800
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do bathroom and kitchen extractor fans need to vent outside?
Yes. Extractor fans used for Healthy Homes ventilation generally need to remove air to the outdoors. Fans that only recirculate air or discharge into the roof space are common risk items.
What size fan is needed for a bathroom?
For new fans installed after 1 July 2019, bathroom fans generally need a 120mm minimum diameter including ducting or an exhaust capacity of at least 25 litres per second.
What size fan is needed for a kitchen?
For new kitchen fans or rangehoods installed after 1 July 2019, the general requirement is 150mm minimum diameter including ducting or at least 50 litres per second exhaust capacity.
Can a visual inspection confirm the exact fan capacity?
Not always. A visual assessment can identify visible issues and records needed, but exact fan capacity may require product specifications, installation records or further specialist confirmation.
Can Cozy Building Compliance help after a fan issue is found?
We can provide practical recommendations and may assist with suitable small maintenance or recommend an appropriate trade where electrical or specialist ventilation work is required.
General guidance only: This information is general guidance only and should not be taken as legal advice. Healthy Homes requirements may depend on the specific property, tenancy situation and any applicable exemptions. Where required, further specialist assessment or confirmation may be recommended.