Immigration New Zealand is replacing 47 RSE accommodation standards with 15 standards, expected to start in the second half of 2027. Changes include new minimum bedroom sizes (6 m² for one person, 10 m² for two) and Healthy Homes Standards applied as far as practicable. A transition period will apply.
Introduction
If you employ workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, the housing you provide is one of your biggest compliance questions each season. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has now announced that RSE accommodation standards are being simplified, with 47 existing standards replaced by 15 core ones.
The new rules are not live yet. They are expected to take effect in the second half of 2027, with a transition period. That gives employers time, but only if you start looking at your bedrooms, heating and paperwork now rather than when the final guidance lands.
This post covers what INZ has confirmed, what the new bedroom space numbers mean in practice, and how to get ready.
What Immigration New Zealand Has Announced
Here are the confirmed points from the INZ announcement:
- 47 existing accommodation standards will be replaced with 15 core standards.
- INZ says the aim is clearer requirements that are easier to administer, with less duplication of New Zealand housing and building rules.
- The new standards are expected to take effect in the second half of 2027, alongside wider changes to RSE compliance settings.
- A transition period will apply, particularly for Healthy Homes Standards and bedroom occupancy.
- Further guidance will be released before the standards start.
The core duty stays the same. RSE employers remain responsible for providing suitable accommodation that is clean, dry, hygienic, safe and functional, with facilities that suit the number of workers staying there.
Why 47 Standards Are Becoming 15
Fewer standards should mean fewer overlapping checks. According to INZ, many existing requirements duplicate what New Zealand building and housing law already asks for, so the new set leans on those rules instead of repeating them.
Our reading of the announcement is that simpler does not mean lighter. Two areas, Healthy Homes Standards and bedroom space, are getting more specific. Employers who have relied on older arrangements may find those two areas need the most attention.
The New RSE Bedroom Space Requirements
Bedroom space is where the change is easiest to measure, so it is a good place to start.
Minimum floor area by number of occupants
| People sharing a bedroom | Minimum bedroom space |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 6 m² |
| 2 people | 10 m² |
| 3 people | 14 m² |
| 4 people | 20 m² |
| Each additional person | Another 5 m² |
What the numbers mean in practice
The table is INZ’s. The examples below are our own calculations from it.
- A 12 m² room can be shared by two workers (it needs 10 m²) but not three (it needs 14 m²).
- Five workers in one room would need 25 m²: 20 m² for the first four, plus 5 m² for the fifth.
- Six workers would need 30 m².
Two existing protections sit alongside these numbers. Workers sharing a bedroom must each have their own bed, and communal areas cannot be used as bedrooms. A lounge or dining room does not count towards sleeping space.
Healthy Homes Standards and RSE Accommodation
The Healthy Homes Standards are the housing rules that apply to many rental homes in New Zealand. Under the new RSE standards, accommodation must meet them “as far as practicable”.
The six areas covered
- Heating
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Moisture
- Drainage
- Draught stopping
What “as far as practicable” may mean
INZ has not yet explained how it will judge this, and we would not guess. The transition period and upcoming guidance are where the detail should appear. In the meantime, older buildings and converted spaces may deserve the closest look, because they are the likeliest places to find gaps in heating, insulation or moisture control.
Building, Council and Fire Safety Requirements
Each property has to comply with the building, council and fire safety rules that apply to it, and employers will need to confirm that. What applies depends on the type, location and classification of the accommodation, so a single checklist will not fit every property.
If you own or lease several sites, treat each one separately. A modern purpose-built block and an older converted building can face very different requirements.
Worker Protections That Stay the Same
The simplified standards keep several worker protections in place:
- Every worker in a shared bedroom needs a bed of their own.
- People sharing a room must be the same gender unless they agree otherwise.
- Bedrooms must have suitable bedding, window coverings and secure storage.
- Facilities must be enough for the number of workers, including cooking, refrigeration, food storage, dining and living areas, toilets, showers, handwashing, water and laundry.
- Shared bathroom facilities must have privacy arrangements.
- All RSE accommodation must be smoke-free.
Timeline: What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Open
Confirmed
- Expected start: second half of 2027
- A transition period is planned
- More guidance is coming before implementation
Not yet confirmed
- The exact start date
- How long the transition period will last
- How “as far as practicable” will be assessed for Healthy Homes Standards
- How the bedroom occupancy transition will work
Until INZ publishes more, avoid committing to major building work based on guesses. Gather information first.
How RSE Employers Can Prepare Now
You do not need to wait for the final guidance to take useful steps.
1. Measure every bedroom
Record the floor area and the number of workers who sleep in each room. Compare each room against the new table. This is the quickest way to spot where occupancy might need to change.
2. Run a Healthy Homes gap check
Walk each property and note the state of heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control, drainage and draught stopping. A simple photo record with dated notes will help later.
3. Gather your building, council and fire safety records
Collect what you already hold, such as building consents, council approvals and fire safety documentation. Missing paperwork is easier to chase now than during a busy season.
4. Check facilities against headcount
Count toilets, showers, cooking facilities, laundry and storage against the number of workers staying at each site. Confirm that shared bathrooms have privacy measures.
5. Plan the budget and timing for any upgrades
If gaps appear, work out what can be done off-season and what may need to be phased in during the transition. Accommodation costs are a separate topic from accommodation standards. Our guide to the RSE accommodation cost rules covers what employers can recover.
6. Watch for official guidance
Check the INZ news centre and the RSE employer pages regularly. We will update this post when new detail is released.
How This Fits With Other RSE Changes
INZ says the new standards will arrive alongside wider changes to RSE compliance settings. Accommodation is one part of a scheme that has changed several times in recent years. For background, see our overview of changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and our earlier note on the August 2025 accommodation deduction update.
Workers looking for visa conditions rather than housing rules can start with our RSE Limited Visa guide.
The Takeaway
The move from 47 standards to 15 is meant to make RSE accommodation rules clearer, but two areas will need real attention: bedroom space and Healthy Homes Standards. The start date is still some time away, and the details that matter most are still to come.
The practical step is simple. Measure your rooms, check your properties against the six Healthy Homes areas, and tidy up your building and fire safety records. Then watch for INZ guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the new RSE accommodation standards start?
INZ expects them to take effect in the second half of 2027, alongside wider changes to RSE compliance settings. A transition period will apply, and further guidance will be released beforehand.
2. How many RSE accommodation standards will there be?
The 47 existing standards will be replaced by 15 core standards.
3. What are the minimum bedroom sizes for RSE workers?
The minimum is 6 m² for one person, 10 m² for two, 14 m² for three and 20 m² for four. Each additional person needs another 5 m².
4. Do workers sharing a room need their own bed?
Yes. Workers who share a bedroom must each have their own bed. People sharing a room must also be the same gender unless they agree otherwise.
5. Do Healthy Homes Standards apply to RSE accommodation?
Accommodation will need to meet them as far as practicable. They cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, drainage and draught stopping.
6. Will the new standards change what employers can charge for accommodation?
The INZ announcement covers accommodation standards, not charges. For the cost side, see our guide to the RSE accommodation cost rules.
Not Sure Your Worker Housing Will Meet the 2027 Standards?
Immigration Chambers helps RSE employers review their compliance obligations, prepare for policy changes and protect their accreditation. Speak with our Auckland team about where your accommodation stands today.
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