Previous determinations

Determinations are made by MBIE on matters of doubt or dispute to do with building work. Rulings are legally binding, but only in relation to each case.

Previous determinations may provide some useful guidance for those faced with similar problems, but note that individual circumstances may vary.

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2022/010: The authority's refusal to grant a building consent for foundations, a deck, a roof structure, and the installation of a solid fuel heater

This determination considers whether the authority was correct to refuse to grant a building consent. The determination considers the authority's reasons for the refusal and whether sufficient information was included in the building consent application for the authority to be satisfied that the provisions of the Building Code would be met if the building work were properly completed in accordance with the plans and specifications under section 49 of the Building Act.

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2022/005: Compliance of building work with Building Code clauses B1 Structure and E1 Surface Water, that provide protection of other property

This determination considers whether building work to construct an extension to an existing deck, a new retaining wall, and other structures along a boundary between two properties, comply with Building Code Clauses B1 Structure and E1 Surface Water that provide for the protection of other property.

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2022/003: Compliance of proposed alterations to a dwelling by way of Acceptable Solutions B1/AS1 and E2/AS3

This determination considers whether two items of proposed building work comply with the relevant Acceptable Solutions. Item 1 concerns reinforcing bars to reinforce a concrete floor slab and whether the proposal complies with Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 for Building Code Clause B1 Structure. Item 2 concerns the use of a damp-proof membrane as waterproofing for a 1060mm high retaining wall and whether the proposal complies with Acceptable Solution E2/AS3 for Building Code Clause E2 External Moisture.

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2022/002: Regarding compliance of as-built timber retaining walls with the Building Code as it relates to the protection of other property

This determination considers whether the construction of timber retaining walls complies with Building Code clauses B1 Structure and F5 Construction and Demolition Hazards as they relate to the protection of other property.

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2020/030: Regarding the purported refusal to grant a building consent because of a dispute about the importance level of the building

This determination considers the authority's purported refusal to grant a building consent for proposed building work because the authority did not agree with the importance level proposed by the structural engineer. The determination discusses whether the subject building should be classified as Importance Level 2 or Importance Level 3 as set out in Australian/New Zealand Standard 1170.0. This standard is referenced by Verification Method B1/VM1, which is a means of compliance with Building Code Clause B1 Structure.

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2020/023: The refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for building work

This determination considers the authority's decision to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate for a new dwelling because it was not satisfied that the completed work complied with the Building Code. The compliance decision rested on the authority's view it was unable to accept producer statements from an engineer who had inspected the completed work; the statements are in respect of the verification of the ground bearing and the completion of a surface water soakage trench.

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2020/022: Regarding the compliance of the foundations to a new dwelling with Building Code Clause B1 with respect to the protection of other property

This determination considers the stability of an existing slope after a dwelling was built along the top edge of the slope. The application for determination was sought by an owner of a property down-hill of the slope who considered the slope was unstable because the house had been built on fill material.

The determination considers whether the foundations to the dwelling comply with Clause B1 Structure with respect to the provisions that apply to the protection of other property.

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2020/016: Regarding the authority's issuing of a code compliance certificate in respect of the mechanical ventilation system to a restaurant kitchen

This determination considers the authority's decision to issue a code compliance certificate in respect of a mechanical ventilation system for the fitout of a restaurant; the extract from the restaurant's kitchen exits the building via existing exhaust ductwork, and other building occupants consider the kitchen’s exhaust discharge to be a nuisance.

The determination considers the compliance of the kitchen ventilation system as designed and as built, and the compliance of the existing exhaust ductwork and discharge point.

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2020/009: Regarding the compliance of a washing machine and an instantaneous water heater with the Building Code

This determination considers the compliance of a washing machine with Clause G13 Foul water of the Building Code. The determination also considers the compliance of an instantaneous water heater without a safe tray with Clauses E3 Internal water and G12 Water supplies.

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2020/007: Regarding the compliance of sub-floor fixings to the foundations of a house

This determination considers whether some of the fixings in the subfloor framing to a house meet Building Code Clause B1 Structure. The house was built under a building consent in respect of work described in a national multiple-use approval issued under section 30F of the Act. The matters in dispute arise from the on-site substitution of galvanised rolled steel bearers that have a different profile to that described in the building consent, and the location of bolt fixings that connect the steel bearers to the timber piles.

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This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: