Weathertight e-news:
Issue 10 - April 2011
In this issue we cover:
Progress on the Financial Assistance Package
The Local Government and Environment Select Committee report on the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Financial Assistance Package) Amendment Bill was published on 20 April 2011.
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson welcomed the report and said the select committee has done a comprehensive job of reviewing the draft legislation and considering a range of views on the proposed financial assistance package for owners of leaky homes. The full Select Committee report can be read on the Parliament website
.
Parliament will now debate the Bill for a second time.
The Bill will see qualifying homeowners receive a 25 percent contribution from the Government and they may also receive 25 percent from their local council. The contributions will be based on agreed actual repair costs.
Local councils will not be making a contribution to repair costs if they were not involved in inspecting or signing off the building work (i.e. where inspection and sign-off was done by a private building certifier). However, owners in those cases may still be eligible for Government assistance and they will retain the option to pursue claims against the local council and other parties if they wish.
The package will be voluntary and in addition to the current disputes and litigation options for owners of leaky homes.
Full details of the package will be announced after the supporting legislation has progressed through Parliament.
For more information on the financial assistance package visit http://www.dbh.govt.nz/ws-proposed-financial-assistance.
Quick Guide to Unit Title Developments available now
If you live in or own a unit in a multi unit complex the Unit Titles Act 2010 is likely to affect you once it comes into force. The Department of Building and Housing recently released a booklet to help existing and prospective unit owners get to grips with the new Unit Titles Act 2010.
The Guide is an essential resource for unit owners and anyone involved with the unit titles sector and market, and is available online.
Information sheets supporting the Guide and giving more detail about some of the key topics covered will be available in May.
The Unit Titles Act 2010 is expected to be brought into force in June 2011.
A number of new questions have also been added to our FAQ section.
The Guide can be downloaded from http://www.dbh.govt.nz/unit-titles-publications.
Please feel free to forward this to others who may be interested to learn about the Unit Titles Act.
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