In the last week or so the Government has announced a new service to help owners who believe their buildings may be at risk from what is being called “leaky building syndrome”.

It has set up a toll-free number to provide information and a confidential service which would allow a free check of their homes and a system to resolve disputes about who will pay to remedy problems caused by leaking.

The Christchurch City Council, through the national organisation Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), is also watching developments and has made a submission to Parliament’s Government Administration Select Committee, whose members have begun hearings in the North Island.They are expected to be in Christchurch on 22 November. The venue for that hearing is still to be announced.

The weathertightness issue gained national attention after the release in September of the Building Industry Authority overview group’s Report on the Weathertightness of Buildings. Popularly known as the Hunn report, after its chairman Don Hunn, it made several recommendations which are now being followed up by the Government and others involved in the building industry.The report noted that it did not consider councils and building certifiers to be the fundamental cause of weathertightness problems.

As well as working on the system to help homeowners with their immediate problems, the Government is also investigating changes to regulations and the Building Act and the possible registration of builders. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen has said none of the issues has a single or simple solution. “It is important that we take the time to ensure that our response is as well-considered, robust and effective as possible,” Dr Cullen said.

Still not known is the number of leaky building cases in Christchurch or what role the City Council could have in any resolution of disputes about them. City Council staff report they have had only a small number of calls about the issue, however, and this suggests it will not be as widespread a problem as it appears to be in the north.

Council’s role in building control

The 1991 Building Act brought in the current system of building control. Under that law local bodies were no longer able to make bylaws that required stricter standards than those set out in the law or the Building Code. The 1991 law also took away local bodies’ monopoly on building inspection and set up the Building Industry Authority (BIA).

The BIA is an independent Crown entity funded by a levy on building consents. Among its jobs is to review the Building Code and produce specifications for complying with the Code. The BIA audits the work done by local authorities and their inspectors and also approves private building certifiers.

Local bodies like the City Council administer the Act in their areas, issuing consents and keeping records. Either councils or BIAapproved private certifiers can check plans, inspect building work and issue code compliance certificates. The building owner decides

if they will use a council or private certifier.

More information:

• At www.weathertightness.govt.nz people can find registration forms for the new resolution service and independent assessment. That website is being regularly updated. As well, a toll-free number, 0800 116 926, is being run on weekdays from 8.30am to 7pm for people wanting information about these services.
• The Building Industry Authority website www.bia.govt.nz has the Hunn weathertightness report issued in September and general information about the Building Act and its regulations.
• Consumer Magazine www.consumer.org.nz is carrying reports on the issue and has a list of suggestions for maintaining modern homes which may be prone to leakage.