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.

You can also search for Determinations on Building CodeHub

Find a determination

Applying filters will narrow down your search results

Find a determination

Search results

1000 Determinations match your query
Show detailed results

2025/023: Regarding the issue of three code compliance certificates and compliance of items of building work

This determination considers the issue of three separate code compliance certificates, related to three different building consents, for building work to make various alterations and additions to an existing detached dwelling. All three building consents were issued under the Building Act 1991.

This determination considers if the building work complies with the Building Code that applied at the time the building consents were granted.

About this document

2024/050: Regarding compliance with the Building Code and the issue of a code compliance certificate for building work associated with a new dwelling

This determination considers the decision to issue a code compliance certificate for a building consent to construct a dwelling.

The determination also considers compliance with the Building Code of a deck, surface water drainage system in the vicinity of that deck and the foundation walls with Clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, E1 Surface Water and E2 External Moisture.

About this document

2024/042: Regarding the compliance of external timber wall cladding

This determination considers the compliance with Building Code Clauses B2 Durability and E2 External Moisture of vertical shiplap Siberian larch timber wall cladding installed on a residential dwelling.

About this document

2024/021: Regarding the issuing of a notice to fix for a partially completed new single storey residential building

This determination considers the decision by an authority to issue a notice to fix for a partially completed new single storey residential building. The determination considers whether the areas of work identified on the notice comply with the building consent and whether the foundations comply with Building Code clause B1.3.1.

About this document

2024/006: The refusal to issue a certificate of acceptance for building work associated with a dwelling

This determination considers the authority's refusal to issue a certificate of acceptance for building work associated with a dwelling, that was carried out without building consent. The authority considered that Building Code clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, E2 External Moisture, G2 Laundering, G9 Electricity, G12 Water Supplies and H1 Energy Efficiency were not met. The determination considers the reasons for refusal set out in the authority’s refusal letter and subsequent report.

About this document

2024/004: Regarding the refusal to carry out a final inspection and issue a code compliance certificate for a 22-year-old house

This determination considers an authority's decision to refuse to issue a Code Compliance Certificate for a building consent granted in 2000 under the former Building Act 1991. The determination will discuss the reasons given by the authority for the refusal, and how they relate to Building Code clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, E2 External moisture that applied in 2000.

About this document

2023/019: Regarding the proposed refusals to issue two code compliance certificates for building work to construct and alter a dwelling.

The determination considers the authority’s proposed decisions to refuse to issue code compliance certificates for two separate building consents for the construction, and subsequent alterations, to a detached dwelling. The determination considers the authority’s reasons for the refusals and whether sufficient information has been provided to the authority for it to be satisfied the building work complies with the Building Code that applied at the time the building consents were granted.

About this document

2023/010: Regarding the authority’s decision to refuse to grant an application for a building consent for building work to enclose an existing carport

This determination considers the authority’s decision to refuse to grant a building
consent for alterations to an existing detached building. The determination considers
the authority’s reasons for 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 that accompanied the application.

About this document

2023/007: Regarding the authority’s decision to refuse to grant a building consent for alterations to an existing building

This determination considers the authority’s decision to refuse to grant a building
consent for alterations to an existing detached building. The determination considers the
authority’s reasons for 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 that accompanied the application.

About this document

2022/017: Regarding the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for weathertightness remedial work on a townhouse

Note: This determination was subject to appeal to the District Court and was confirmed.

Appeal judgment [PDF 269KB]

This determination considers whether the authority was correct to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate for remedial recladding work. The determination considers whether the building work complies with clauses B2 Durability and E2 External moisture.

About this document

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: