Previous determinations

This determination considers whether there was a change of use in relation to a building
that was used for emergency housing, where previously it had been used as tourist
accommodation. More specifically, the determination considers whether the use group
changed from 'sleeping accommodation' to 'sleeping residential' and, if so, whether that
resulted in additional or more onerous Building Code requirements.

This determination considers whether the authority was correct in requiring a building consent for the construction of a wind turbine, and its decision to issue a notice to fix for the construction of the supporting foundation without a building consent being obtained. In deciding these matters, I have considered whether the wind turbine is a building and whether the foundation was exempt from the requirement to obtain a building consent.

This determination arises from the authority's decision to issue a notice to fix for work carried out to a large dam without a building consent for the contravention of section 40. The owner and the authority disagree on the scope of works that required building consent.

This determination concerns the issue of a notice to fix by an authority in relation to a retaining wall that had been built by a neighbour over the property boundary and then subsequently demolished by the neighbour. The determination considers whether the owners of the property were the "owner of a building" and therefore a "specified person" in terms of section 163 of the Building Act, such that a notice to fix could be issued to them.

This determination considers whether the authority was correct in the exercise of its power of decision to issue a notice to fix for what the authority considers is building work that required a building consent. In order to make this determination I have considered whether a unit is a 'building' under section 8 of the Building Act 2004. The determination also considers whether the notice to fix was defective.

This determination considers whether a unit is a building that is subject to the Building Act. It discusses the tests of 'immovability' and 'permanent or long-term occupation' in relation to a vehicle, and the requirements for a notice to fix.

This determination considers an authority's proposed decision to require a building consent for prefabrication of a unit intended to be moved to another site. The determination discusses whether the unit is a 'building' in terms of the Building Act, the definition of 'building work' in the Act, and the exemption from the requirement to obtain building consent contained in clause 43 of Schedule 1 of the Act.

This determination considers whether the authority was correct in its decision to refuse to grant an extension of time to issue a code compliance certificate for alterations and additions to an existing dwelling. The determination discusses the process of considering an extension of the time in which to issue a code compliance certificate including sections 92, 93 and 94 and 95A of the Act.

Note: This determination was subject to appeal to the District Court, where one conclusion was confirmed and one conclusion was overturned. Appeal judgment  [PDF 6.4MB].

This determination considers whether a structure that has some features of a vehicle is a "building" under section 8 of the Building Act, and therefore whether the authority can issue a notice to fix for construction of the unit without building consent. The determination discusses factors to consider when deciding if the unit is a "vehicle", and if it is "immovable" and "occupied on a permanent or long-term basis".

This determination considers the issue of notices to fix for construction of something that the owner claims is not a building. The determination considers whether the construction was of a vehicle, as the owner claimed, rather than a building. The determination also sets out the approach taken in High Court and District Court decisions that have considered the question of whether something with the characteristics of a vehicle were buildings.