Posts Tagged ‘building consent’
New Zealand’s Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, this afternoon announced that the Government will introduce amendments to the Building Act 2004 that will help cut red-tape and bureaucracy and make builders more accountable.
The planned changes to the Act will be phased in over time. Some of the incentives to build it right first time to be introduced to Parliament this year include:
- explicitly stating that builders and designers are accountable for meeting Building Code requirements;
- mandatory written contracts for building work above $20,000 that set out expectations, warranties and remedies, and how any disputes will be resolved;
- requiring those doing the work to explain what, if any, financial back-up or insurance they have to remedy any faults.
The planned amendments will also see some minor, low-risk work, exempted from the need for a building consent. Examples of such exempted work will include:
- Replacement or alteration of internal wall and floor linings and finishes in a dwelling.
- Adding lightweight stalls (eg, used at fairs and exhibitions) to the current exemption for tents and marquees.
- Fabric shade sails and associated structural supports that do not exceed 50 square metres in area (with limitations on matters such as the level on which the sails are installed and distance from a legal boundary).
- Installation, replacement or alteration of thermal insulation in existing buildings (excluding exterior walls and fire walls). This clarifies that retrofitting ceiling and underfloor insulation will not need a consent.
- Penetrations with a maximum diameter of 300mm (including associated weatherproofing, fireproofing and any other finishings) to enable the passage of pipes, cables, ducts, wires, hoses and the like through any existing building. This clarifies that for example a heat pump can be installed without needing a consent, although the wiring must be done by a registered electrician.
- Signs and associated structural supports where the sign is no more than 3 metres high and the face area of the sign does not exceed 6 square metres.
- Height restriction gantries (e.g. a vehicle height warning in a car park).
- Private playground equipment used in association with a single household where no part of the equipment extends more than 3 metres above the ground.
Mr Williamson says the Government can only make changes to the building consent process to reduce costs once it has confidence in the quality of what is being built.
The Government is proposing to introduce a ‘stepped’ approach to building consents and inspections after mid-2012 once the other improvements are in place to drive quality, including the licensing of building practitioners.
You can read the Minister’s media release and find out more on the Department of Building and Housing’s website at: www.dbh.govt.nz/buildingactreview
It’s been a great last couple of days. Had a great dinner and leaving party for a friend I have known all my life (since our parents are great friends). The All Blacks won convincingly vs France 61-10 (although superstar Ali Williams’ jaw may not agree quite so much). And Rafael Nadal one of the greatest ever tennis players on clay beat world #1 Roger Federer in the French Open Final ==> what a game.
We are closing in on a mega trade deal at the moment. You will know my belief that in todays market to thrive that you need to create the deal. So we are seeking to solve another person’s problems.
DIY Superstar wannabes
The problem the vendors have is that they wanted to improve their home, but didn’t want to follow the rules, or know the rules. You need a building consent under the Building Act 2004 whenever you do structural work to a house.
They have put in some extra windows, stairs, ranchslider and a kids playhouse high up off the ground with no handrails. Sadly for them their jealous neighbour dobbed them into the council and the council investigated and found the work required a permit and they have therefore done illegal building work. They then got a letter from the council giving them 6 weeks to remedy this (ie restore it to what it was permitted to be). They did not oblige and even told the inspectors that they have improved it so much any council would be foolish to prosecute, or they will call Fair Go. Well they did this and Fair Go was not interested funnily enough. Unfortunately for them they have been issued a notice to fix giving them 4 week to remedy this or else – be forced to (by a court order). Don’t comply, then the house may be shutdown.
So since they spent their money on an illegal thing (unpermitted reno) they have run out of money to restore it. So these DIY wannabes have failed and because they did not know the rules they are sacrificing many tens of thousands of equity to us (the highest offerers on their property). It needs to be sold before it becomes a big problem, we will simply spend the $7-8k to get it fixed, then build a minor dwelling there too.
So the house goes to auction. We like auctions for non-standard properties as the fact it is different scares most people. There is far less competition and seldom a decent bid. Also on Saturday you will recall in Auckland that we had some tremendous downpours in the afternoon, and the cold southerly didn’t help bring the punters along to the open home.
So we were the only bidders and true to form were below the vendors. So our agents are in the final stages of crunching a mega deal at the moment.
Most prospective buyers don’t like things with a twist. It is “too hard”, “too cold”, “too wet”, or “too scary” or insert any other excuse why not to buy a property to make you $100K in 9 months.
The morals of the story are:
1) Don’t brag too much to your neighbours
2) Knowledge is power – if doing structural or any building work, speak to a qualified builder or architect
3) Go to auctions when it is a miserable day or the property is not a standard one
There are some great deals out there if you persist and know what you are looking for.
Post-Script:
Auckland based property developer/investor/trader/mentor Sean Wood got fined $30,000 in June 2008 for unconsented building works. Sean Wood’s company City Link Properties was granted a building consent based on plans to extend an existing house. The company submitted a plan to build an upstairs bedroom with ensuite and a four car garage. Instead five rooms were built upstairs and part of the garage was turned into a living area – leaving room for only two cars. Manukau City Council Compliance and Enforcement Manager Kevin Jackson says he is pleased with the sentencing as the building work was over and above what was originally submitted:
People can’t put in one set of plans to the council then do something completely different and hope to get away with it. I am disappointed that this was an experienced property developer who knew the rules but chose to break them.”
Source: Manukau City Council website and New Zealand Herald
Sean Wood’s court fine will not doubt get more attention from frequently negative and ostensibly insecure people like Peter Aranyi that have a desire to criticise other education providers repeatedly, in an flawed attempt to set themselves apart. Therefore it appears a bit strange that Sean didn’t strive to comply as he had a lot of time and chances for this not to go to court.