Luxury apartments with alleged defects have cost Tauranga Ratepayers more than $20 million.

Information released under the Official Information Act revealed Tauranga City Council paid $21 million to settle with Cayman Apartments homeowners.

An additional $1.5 million spent by council in legal fees and expert costs.

Council had allocated $19.2 million in their annual report to cover the cost of any settlement.

The lawsuit began after 47, out of 48 luxury-apartment owners, joined a $36 million lawsuits against 16 parties after a note was added to their property file by council saying the code compliance certificate 'may have been issued in error”.

Body corporate investigations revealed a wide range of alleged building defects and negligence from the builder and council inspectors.

They alleged there were roof defects, wall integrity issues, weather tightness issues, balustrade complaints as well as drainage, stormwater and fire protection defects.

Leaky homes have cost Tauranga ratepayers big money with the council allocating millions for leaky homes payments.

Since 2014 council has paid out more than $7 million settling leaky home cases and in expert fees.

Under the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service council has received 226 leaky building claims with 13 requiring settlements to date.

Records show Tauranga City Council has paid out $7 million in settlements and costs since 2014 and $6.1 million paid out as Department of Building and Housing Financial Assistance Payments.