Previous determinations

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.

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.

This determination considers the authority’s purported refusal to grant a building consent for seismic strengthening work because the authority did not agree with the importance level classification proposed by the structural engineer. The determination discusses whether the subject building should be classified as Importance Level 2 or Importance Level 3 as set out in AS/NZS 1170.0.  This standard is referenced by Verification Method B1/VM1, which is a means of compliance with Building Code Clause B1 Structure. 

This determination considers the compliance of a recently-completed eight-storey steel framed building. Specific aspects of the completed frame had been brought to the notice of the authority, and the authority also questioned work carried out that varied from the approved consent. The determination considers the compliance of these matters in respect of Building Code Clause B1 Structure

This determination considers whether sufficient information was provided to support an application for building consent for a multi-unit building in relation to the building’s foundation design. The building is located on land that is being developed for subdivision and the determination also considers matters related to the identification of natural hazards on the site.

This determination considers an authority’s refusal to issue a code compliance certificate for a 20-year-old house principally due to concerns about its compliance with Building Code Clause E2 External moisture. The determination considers the authority’s reasons for the refusal and whether the items identified by the authority are compliant with the Building Code.

This determination considers a building consent authority’s exercise of its power of decision in issuing a notice to fix for the relocation of two buildings and the installation of a wastewater system.  The determination discusses the contraventions for which the notice was issued, who the notice was issued to, and how the provisions of the Building Act apply when a building is relocated.

Note: ​The decision in this determination was confirmed on appeal to the District Court. See Marlborough District Council v Bilsborough [2020] NZDC 9962.

Read the appeal judgment.

This determination concerns a notice to fix issued for two relocated units built on trailers that were relocated onto site and joined via a walkway constructed onsite.  The determination considers whether the structure is a building for the purposes of the Act and whether the units separately are vehicles and not buildings.  It also considers the particulars of contravention identified in the notice to fix and the persons to whom the notice was issued.

This determination considers the authority’s refusal to issue a code compliance certificate where the building work was carried out without required inspections.  The determination considers the compliance of three areas identified by the authority in its refusal.

This determination is concerned with the compliance of a timber retaining wall with Building Code Clause B1 Structure. The determination considers whether the wall once completed will comply with Building Code Clause B1 Structure, and whether the authority was correct not to issue a notice to fix in relation to the retaining wall.