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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2025/020: Council’s decision to issue a yellow placard under section 133BT of the Building Act due to a slip

This determination considers a council’s decision to issue a notice under section 133BT (a yellow placard) to restrict access to part of the property due to a slip.

The determination considers whether the council had the power under the Building Act to issue the notice, and the issue of the notice in relation to a slip at the rear of the property.

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2025/016: The issue of a code compliance certificate for a dwelling in respect of compliance with clause G3 and clause E2

This determination considers an authority’s decision to issue a code compliance certificate for construction of a dwelling.

The determination considers the entry of vermin to external elements of the construction, and whether particular elements comply with Building Code clause G3 Food Preparation and prevention of contamination and E2 External moisture.

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2025/015: Refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 27-year old house due to concerns around compliance with BC clauses B2 and E2

The authority has refused to issue a code compliance certificate for building work carried out pursuant to building consent because it is not satisfied that the cladding system that formed part of the building work complied with clauses B2 and E2 of the Building Code at the time it was constructed.

The authority’s formal refusal letter, when read together with an accompanying email referring to the reasons for refusal, had provided sufficient reasons for refusing to issue the code compliance certificate. 

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2025/010: Refusal to issue a code compliance certificate

This determination considers an authority’s decision to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate for the construction of a two‐storey detached dwelling.

The determination considers the reasons for the refusal and whether they meet the requirements of section 95A of the Building Act 2004.

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2025/007: Regarding compliance of a masonry block retaining wall with Building Code Clause B1 Structure and the protection of other property

This determination considers whether a new retaining wall close to some existing retaining walls and the boundary between two properties complies with the provisions of Building Code Clause B1 Structure and the protection of other property.

The matter turns on whether the new retaining wall relies on the existing retaining walls located on other property for compliance, and whether the new retaining wall imposes a surcharge on the existing retaining walls and, if a surcharge is imposed, whether this affects the ongoing compliance of the existing retaining walls.

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2025/005: An authority’s refusal to grant a building consent in relation to the conversion of one level of an existing multistorey building

This determination considers an authority’s refusal to issue a building consent for conversion of one level of a multi‐storey building from commercial to residential use.

It considers the reasons for the refusal under section 50 of the Building Act 2004, and provides comments on section 115 decision‐making.

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2025/004: Compliance of a step on an access route to a toilet facility

This determination considers the compliance with Building Code Clause D1 Access Routes of an external step to a toilet facility constructed as part of a new warehouse building. 

The determination considers whether the step is on an access route and whether it complies with clause D1.3.3(i).

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2025/003: Refusal to grant a building consent for the construction of a lift in an existing commercial building

This determination concerns an authority’s decision to refuse to grant an application for a building consent to install a new lift into an existing two‐storey commercial building.

The determination considers the authority’s reasons for the refusal and whether the new lift complies with the Building Code clause D2 if required by clause D1.3.4. The determination will also consider whether to grant a waiver or modification in respect of those clauses.

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2025/002: An authority’s proposed refusal to grant a building consent for two multi-unit buildings in relation to the application of C/AS1 Part 5

This determination considers an authority’s proposed refusal to grant a building consent for two multi-unit buildings.

The determination considers the application of Acceptable Solution C/AS1 paragraph 5.1.1 for the proposed external wall design in relation to control of external fire spread.

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2025/001: The purported decision to refuse to issue a building consent for reasons relating to the building’s use and means of escape from fire.

This determination considers an authority’s purported decision to refuse to issue a building consent for alterations and an addition to an existing building.

The matter turns on whether the proposed building work would have resulted in a change of use for the building and whether the building would have complied as nearly as reasonably practicable with clause C4.3 of the Building Code relating to means of escape from fire.

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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: