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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23 Determinations match your query
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2025/008: An authority’s decisions to issue two notices to fix for a change of use and construction of tents without building consent

This determination considers an authority’s decisions to issue two notices to fix.

The determination considers whether the owner’s house had undergone a change of use in contravention of sections 114 and 115 of the Building Act 2004.

It also considers whether two tents installed on the property were exempt from the requirement to obtain a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act.

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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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2024/060: An authority’s refusal to withdraw two notices to fix issued in relation to a change of use

This determination considers an authority’s decision to refuse to withdraw two notices to fix, which the owners believe had been satisfied by reverting to the building’s original use.

The determination turns on whether letting the house for short-term holiday accommodation to single groups constitutes a change of use from SH (Sleeping Single Home) to SA (Sleeping Accommodation).

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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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2019/050: Regarding the issue of notices to fix in respect of building work to convert an existing shed and sleep-out to a self-contained unit

This determination considers the issue of a notice to fix in regard to building work carried out to convert an existing shed and sleep-out into a self-contained unit. The determination considers whether the authority was correct to issue the notice to fix, and whether a change of use had occurred. 

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2019/005: Regarding the authority’s decision to issue of a notice to fix for the conversion of a garage to a self-contained unit

This determination considers whether a garage detached associated with a dwelling has undergone a change of use when it was converted to a self-contained unit.  Council issued a notice to fix in respect of the conversion and the determination considers whether the garage has undergone a change of use as provided for in the legislation.

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2018/065: Classified use of buildings used as accommodation under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme

This determination considers the classified use of buildings on two properties under Clause A1 of the Building Code when they are used by employers as accommodation for seasonal workers under the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

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2018/050: Notice to fix issued for the change of use of a house

This determination considers whether the building has undergone a change of use and the exercise of the authority's powers in issuing a notice to fix for failure to notify the change of use. The determination considers the use category and whether compliance requirements in the new use are additional or more onerous than the requirements related to the old use.

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2018/023: Refusal to grant an exemption from the requirement to obtain a building consent for alterations

This determination considered whether a change of use had occurred and whether the authority was correct to refuse to grant an exemption under Schedule 1(2).

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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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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: