Since the introduction of the 1991 Building Act & Regulations (one being the NZ Building Code) all building work, whether or not a building consent is necessary, must comply with the Act and Regulations. Prior to the 2005 changes a building consent was issued in the name of the land owner so therefore they were responsible for meeting the Regulations (Building Code). There is a mandatory requirement for anyone in the construction industry to have a 'working knowledge of the Building Code”.

Under the changes made in 2005, the landowner, the Licensed Building Practitioner and the inspector for the council have the duties and responsibilities so are most likely to pay for any Building Code defects regardless if they supplied the materials etc. or not.
NZ is the only country that has licensed the trades without licensing the owner of the house building firm.

In each state in Australia before starting up a home building business, a two-year full time course and proof of financial backing and management skills are necessary before a license is issued and then a BC Bond is lodged with the Licensing Board. Building code complaints are investigated by the licensing board, in most states
for free. If the complaint is upheld the license holder is given one month to start repairs or it comes out of the bond and their license suspended – no starting any more houses.

Our system is very inefficient and if there is a problem, in most cases legal action is required, costing large sums of money that should or could be spent on repairs.

R Lichtwark, Rotorua.