Jun 17, 2026
As temperatures drop, it's tempting to keep every window and door firmly shut to keep the warmth in. While staying warm is important, proper ventilation is just as essential during winter.
Everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing create moisture inside your home. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture can build up and lead to condensation, dampness and mould.
The good news? A few simple habits can make a big difference.
Excess moisture doesn't just affect your home—it can also affect your health. Damp and mouldy environments can contribute to respiratory issues and allergies, while also causing damage to walls, ceilings, curtains and furnishings.
Proper ventilation helps to:
If your home has extractor fans in the kitchen or bathroom, use them whenever cooking or showering. Extractor fans are one of the most effective ways to remove moisture from the air and help prevent condensation, dampness and mould.
When showering, leave the bathroom fan running for a few minutes afterwards if possible. Likewise, use the kitchen extractor fan whenever cooking, especially when boiling water or creating steam.
If your property does not have extractor fans, opening nearby windows can help improve airflow and reduce moisture build-up.
Even during winter, opening windows for 10–15 minutes each day helps remove stale, moisture-laden air and allows fresh air to circulate through the home.
A short burst of fresh air can significantly reduce condensation without making your home uncomfortably cold. In fact, ventilating regularly can help your home feel drier and easier to heat.
A warm, well-ventilated home is often healthier and more comfortable than a home that is warm but damp.
Using heating alongside good ventilation helps reduce moisture build-up and makes condensation less likely to form on cold surfaces such as windows. Rather than allowing rooms to become very cold, try to maintain a comfortable temperature during winter where possible.
Drying clothes indoors can release a surprising amount of moisture into the air.
Where possible:
Large items such as beds, wardrobes and couches placed directly against external walls can restrict airflow and create pockets of trapped moisture.
Leaving a small gap behind furniture allows air to circulate and reduces the risk of mould forming in hidden areas.
If condensation appears on windows in the morning, wiping it away can help prevent excess moisture from soaking into window frames, walls and surrounding surfaces.
Consistent condensation is often a sign that more ventilation may be needed.
Under New Zealand's Healthy Homes Standards, landlords are required to provide features that help keep rental properties warm, dry and healthy.
These generally include:
Some properties may qualify for limited exemptions under the Healthy Homes Standards where certain requirements are not reasonably practicable.
While landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining these features, tenants play an important role by using them correctly and reporting any maintenance issues promptly.
If you're unsure whether a ventilation system, extractor fan or heater is operating correctly, it's always best to let your property manager know so the issue can be investigated.
Maintaining a healthy home is a partnership between landlords and tenants.
Landlords provide the systems and features required under the Healthy Homes Standards, while tenants can help prevent dampness and mould through good ventilation habits and sensible use of heating.
By working together, we can help keep rental homes warm, dry and healthy throughout winter.
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