A housing policy expert is disappointed with the idea that landlords should wait until the election before setting up rentals to new heating standards.

National has confirmed that if elected to government in October, it would tear up recently introduced Healthy Homes standards.

Property Investors Federation's Andrew King says they support many of the standards, but heat pumps are expensive and can raise rent prices.

Policy expert Philippa Howden-Chapman told Heather du Plessis-Allan this attitude will create a backlash on both tenants and rental owners.

"Finally getting an improvement in rental properties, and the idea that we should go backwards is frankly not only disappointing but irrational." 

The Real Estate Institute is putting the heat on landlords not to delay meeting the standards.

Chief executive Bindi Norwell says they have 10 months to meet the standards - and there's no guarantee National could remove them by then.

"It's really important we do the right thing by tenants, providing heating and the other requirements for a standard of living." 

• Landlords told to wait on election before installing heating