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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2018/029: Refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 14-year-old house with mixed claddings

This determination considers the compliance of a 14-year-old building. The determination considers the authority’s reasons for refusing to issue the code compliance certificate and whether the building work complies with the requirements of the Building Code.

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2018/012: Refusal to issue two code compliance certificates for alterations and additions to a house

This determination considers the compliance of alteration and additions to an existing two-storey house that was the subject of two building consents.  The determination considers the compliance of the as-built work and whether the authority was correct in declining to issue code compliance certificates for the work.

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2018/015: Notice to fix and the refusal to issue a certificate of acceptance for alterations

Note: The decisions in this Determination were confirmed on appeal to the District Court. See: Auckland Council v Jayashree Limited (District Court, Auckland, 14 February 2019, CIV-2018-004-00820).

Read appeal judgement [PDF 503KB].

This determination considers whether the authority was correct to issue a notice to fix in regard to unconsented building work and a change of use from a single house to sleeping accommodation. The determination also considers the authority’s decision regarding the certificate of acceptance.

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2018/009: Refusal to issue a code compliance certificate in respect of remedial work to decks

This determination considers the compliance of the remedial work carried out to eight decks. The determination considers the authority’s reasons for refusing to issue the code compliance certificate and whether the building work complies with the requirements of the Building Code.

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2018/004: Refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for an 11-year-old house with monolithic cladding

This determination is concerned with the compliance of an 11-year-old house.  The determination considers the authority’s reasons for refusing to issue the code compliance certificate and whether the building work complies with the requirements of the Building Code.

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2024/049: An authority’s decision to issue a notice to fix for a small detached building

Note: This determination is subject to appeal​.

This determination considers an authority’s decision to issue a notice to fix in relation to a small, detached building. The notice to fix alleges the owners have carried out building work without a building consent and that some of the building work does not comply with Building Code Clause B1 Structure. The determination considers the authority’s grounds for issuing the notice to fix, and the form and content of the notice.

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2021/008: Regarding the authority's decision to issue a code compliance certificate for a new dwelling

This determination considers whether an authority was correct to issue a code compliance certificate for a new dwelling. The determination considers whether the building is compliant, and whether the authority would have been aware of any non-compliance when issuing the code compliance certificate.

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2024/036: The proposed refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a house

This determination concerns the authority’s proposed refusal of a code compliance certificate. The determination considers whether the building work complies with the building consent, and whether particular elements of the building work comply with the relevant clauses of the Building Code.

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2024/034: How the provisions of the Building Act apply to the structural performance of an existing building where additional floors are being added

This determination considers the purported refusal of a building consent for alterations to a commercial building. The determination considers how the provisions of the Act apply to the assessment of the proposed additional floors for the purpose of clause B1 Structure of the Building Code. The determination explores the difference in the tests set out in section 17 and s112 of the Act.

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2021/001: Regarding the refusal to grant a building consent for the conversion of part of a building from a carpark to a nightclub

This determination considers an authority’s decision not to grant building consent to a leaseholder for alterations to part of a building, based on the authority’s view that the seismic performance of the whole building was required to be upgraded. The determination discusses the requirement in section 115 for a building undergoing a change of use to comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with the provisions of the Building Code relating to structural performance.

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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: