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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2015/039: The refusal to issue a compliance certificate and the issue of a notice to fix in respect of compliance of pool barriers to a swimming pool

Discussed whether the proposed pool barrier encompassing “the immediate pool area” complies with Clause F4 of the Building Code with regard to the size of the area and the activities that would take place within it. Other matters discussed whether the building consent would lapse two years after the date on which it was issued.

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2015/038: Regarding the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 17 year-old house with stucco wall cladding

Discussed whether, given the age of the house, the authority could be satisfied that building work complied with the Building Code in relation to Clauses B1, B2 and E2 and modification of durability provisions to allow provisions to commence from the estimated date of substantial completion. Also that potential liability is not grounds for refusal to issue a code compliance certificate and modification of durability provisions.

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2015/037: Regarding the compliance of pool barriers for a swimming pool

Discussed the authority’s refusal to issue a building consent relating to compliance with Clause F4 of the Building Code for a proposed swimming pool and its barriers which included sliding doors and the use of security latches with lockable bolts.

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2015/036: Regarding the exercise of the authority's power of decision in requiring a section 75 certificate for alterations to a wharf

Discussed the definition of “owner” for the purposes of section 75 and whether a section 75 certificate was required. The applicant, an owner of two allotments and cross leaser of one allotment had a building consent suspended for not supplying a section 75 certificate for building work to extend across the three allotments. Also discussed whether ‘part of a building’ is included in the interpretation of ‘building’ where the building work enlarges the building over allotment boundaries.

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2015/035: Regarding the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for additions and alterations to a school

Discussed whether there were reasonable grounds for a code compliance certificate to be issued where some building elements were no longer visible and inspections during building work were carried out by parties other than the authority.

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2015/034: Authority's exercise of powers in refusing to issue a code compliance certificate for a 1 year-old house with profiled metal roof cladding

Discussed the council’s refusal to issue of a code compliance certificate where the as-built work differs from that consented and was also not in accordance with the Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 or the manufacturer’s details, particularly relating to ridge flashings installed to a profiled metal roof. The determination reviewed the compliance of the as-built work against the performance requirements of the Building Code.

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2015/033: Regarding the compliance of repairs proposed to the tile roof of a 7 year-old house

Discussed the weathertightness and durability of proposed repairs that consisted of installing compressible seal strips to valley gutters beneath concrete roof tiles.

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2015/032: Refusal to issue a building consent for remedial work to improve weathertightness issues to a house with a code compliance certificate

This determination covered technical issues about a proprietary system provider’s methodologies and technologies relating to liquid and foaming injection timber treatment systems used to slow the rate of decay. Discussed whether timber treatment process is building work, and whether targeted treatment can be exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Act as maintenance. Discussed impacts on bracing capacity, air volatility, and the use of drying skirts. Also mentioned the provision of new plans as opposed to copied plans.

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2015/031: Refusal to issue compliance certificates for a 12 year-old shop, 8 year-old toilet block and alterations to a building consent

Discussed building work exempt under Schedule 1 for which building consent is not required, compliance of building work with the Building Code in force at the time of construction, and amendment to a building consent to modify the durability periods and remove building elements that no longer exist. Also discussed the need for a certificate of acceptance for alterations carried out without building consent when consent was required.

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2015/030: Regarding the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for 17 year-old alterations and additions to a house

Discussed weathertightness of the external envelope, and transitional provisions around code compliance certificates for work completed under a building consent issued under the former Act.

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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: