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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2020/010: Regarding the compliance of openings in a first floor external wall with Clause F4 Safety from falling

This determination considers the compliance of existing windows that are proposed as openings in the first floor of a building with respect to Clause F4 Safety from falling. The determination also considers whether the authority was correct to purportedly refuse to issue the building consent for this work.

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2020/009: Regarding the compliance of a washing machine and an instantaneous water heater with the Building Code

This determination considers the compliance of a washing machine with Clause G13 Foul water of the Building Code. The determination also considers the compliance of an instantaneous water heater without a safe tray with Clauses E3 Internal water and G12 Water supplies.

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2020/008: The refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 20-year-old house with monolithic cladding

This determination considers the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 20-year-old house due to concerns about its compliance with Building Code Clause E2 External moisture. The determination considers the authority’s reasons for the refusal and performance of the building envelope with the requirements of the Building Code.

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2020/007: Regarding the compliance of sub-floor fixings to the foundations of a house

This determination considers whether some of the fixings in the subfloor framing to a house meet Building Code Clause B1 Structure. The house was built under a building consent in respect of work described in a national multiple-use approval issued under section 30F of the Act. The matters in dispute arise from the on-site substitution of galvanised rolled steel bearers that have a different profile to that described in the building consent, and the location of bolt fixings that connect the steel bearers to the timber piles.

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2020/006: Regarding the decision to grant a building consent for alterations to a house

This determination considers whether the authority was correct to grant a building consent where the submitted plans were inaccurate. The determination also considers the role of the authority in keeping building related records.

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2020/005: Regarding the refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 22-year-old house

This determination considers the reasons given by a building consent authority to issue a code compliance certificate for a 22-year-old house. The reasons for the refusal included the lack of energy works certificates for electrical and gas services. The house was the subject of significant consented alterations that are now 12 years old, and for which a code compliance certificate was issued.

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2020/004: Regarding the compliance of a pool barrier consisting of an automatic cover and the decision to issue a code compliance certificate for the

Note (added 11/08/2022): Please note that this determination incorrectly refers to section 450A of the Building Act 2004 as a compliance pathway for the pool barrier in this determination. The acceptable solution provided for in section 450A was revoked by way of Gazette notice on 27 April 2017. As the determination does not conclude that the pool barrier was compliant via the acceptable solution in section 450A, the outcome of the determination is not affected.

This determination considers the authority’s decision to issue a code compliance certificate for an automatic pool cover as a pool barrier. The determination discusses whether a special exemption was granted under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 and the compliance of the automatic pool cover as a pool barrier with Clause F4 Safety from falling as the relevant Building Code clause at the time the building consent was issued.

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2020/003: Whether a consented apartment building with a single escape route requires smoke lobbies on the ground floor

This determination considers the granting of a building consent and whether a proposed three-storey apartment building with a common stairwell requires smoke lobbies in the ground floor apartments in order to comply with the Building Code by means of the Acceptable Solution C/AS2. The ground floor apartments have alternative egress routes and the common stairwell is the single escape route for the occupants of upper floors.

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2020/002: Regarding the consented alterations to the walls and roof of a house and its compliance with Building Code Clause B1

This determination considers whether alterations to the walls and roof of a house comply with Building Code Clauses B1 Structure, E2 External moisture and F7 Warning systems. The determination also considers whether changes to the consented building work can be considered a minor variation to the building consent, and the issue of the code compliance certificate for the alterations.

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2020/001: Regarding the compliance of a pool barrier to the extent required by section 162C of the Building Act

Note (added 11/08/2022): Please note that this determination incorrectly refers to section 450A of the Building Act 2004 as a compliance pathway for the pool barrier in this determination. The acceptable solution provided for in section 450A was revoked by way of Gazette notice on 27 April 2017. As the determination does not conclude that the pool barrier was compliant via the acceptable solution in section 450A, the outcome of the determination is not affected.

This determination considers the compliance of an existing pool barrier to the extent required under section 162C of the Building Act. The matter turns on whether the area enclosed by the pool barrier can properly be considered the "immediate pool area" and whether the doors opening into the immediate pool area comply.

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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: