If you are about to undertake repairs to your leaky home it is very important that you use a builder who is experienced in weathertightness remediation work, as it requires specialist supervision.  Look for a builder who can display the WaterTight Seal of Approval. 

LATEST NEWS: Leaky homes syndrome blamed for lack of interest - NZ Herald, 17th April 2012

You should consider asking your builder for a WaterTight Warranty.  This means that if anything happens during the repairs, or subsequently, and the builder is unable or unwilling to complete the work, the guarantor will do so.

1. What caused this problem?

2. Is my home at risk?

3. What do I do if I have a leaky home?

4. Financial Assistance Package (FAP)

5. What if it’s now more than 10 years since my house was built?

6. Getting remediation work done

What caused this problem?
Excerpt from the ConsumerBuild website:
During the 1990s a considerable number of houses were built using methods that haven't withstood the weather conditions in New Zealand. Because of the problems involving design, and installation of materials, these houses leak when it rains. In some cases the materials themselves were used inappropriately.  Once water or moisture gets behind certain cladding types, if there is no cavity between the cladding and the framework, the water becomes trapped and cannot easily escape or evaporate.

In 1998, a change in the New Zealand standard for Timber Treatment allowed the use of untreated kiln-dried timber in wall framing. If this untreated timber framing gets wet, the timber starts to rot. Likewise, steel framed buildings and treated timber can also be affected if they remain wet long enough. This causes, in some cases, extensive damage to the fabric and structure of the house.

A side effect of leaking buildings is the risk to human health. Some moulds that grow on damp timber and other materials can cause respiratory and skin problems.

• Wind zone

• Number of storeys

• Roof/wall intersection design

• Eaves width

• Envelope complexity

• Deck design

For more information on each of these risk factors visit: www.consumerbuild.org.nz/publish/leaky/leaky-riskfactors.php

Because improved standards were implemented from February 2005, buildings constructed before this time are at increased risk.

What do I do if I have a leaky home?
You can submit a claim to the Department of Building and Housing, provided that the:

• claim is brought by the owner(s) of the house

• house is used principally for residential purposes

• house has been built or altered within the 10 years immediately prior to the date of lodging the claim

• house has been leaking (water is entering the house from outside)

• house has been damaged as a result of the leaks

For more information on the process visit: www.consumerbuild.org.nz/publish/leaky/leakywhattodo-resolution.php
To download a claim form go to: www.dbh.govt.nz/ws-bringing-a-claim#aid3

If your claim is accepted an assessor will be appointed to investigate your house, this may involve invasive testing such as drilling holes and cutting out sections of wall.

If the assessor judges your claim to be eligible you can start repairs and proceed to  resolution.  For more information on settling your claim through the dispute resolution process go to: www.dbh.govt.nz/ws-dispute-resolution

Alternatively you can apply for the Government’s Financial Assistance Package.

Financial Assistance Package (FAP)
Excerpt from the Department of Building & Housing website:
Under the FAP you (the qualifying homeowner) share the agreed actual repair cost of repairing your home with the government and your local council, if it approved the original work and is participating in the FAP.

The government and council each pay 25 per cent of the repair cost and you pay the remaining 50 per cent. However, if your council didn’t sign off on the building work, or has chosen not to participate in the FAP, you will need to agree to pay 75 per cent of the costs to get payments under the scheme.

To use the FAP, you (the homeowner) must agree not to sue contributing councils and the government, although you can still pursue other liable parties such as builders, developers and manufacturers of defective products.

The FAP offers homeowners the certainty of a financial contribution and helps to get more leaky homes fixed faster.

For information about how to apply for the FAP go to: www.dbh.govt.nz/fap-how-to-apply

What if it’s now more than 10 years since my house was built?
Because many leaky buildings were built between 1998 and 2002 an increasing number of homes will not be eligible for government assistance, which only applies if damage is identified within 10 years of the home being built. However, it might still be possible to bring a claim if any subsequent repair or alteration work has been negligent. The 10 year time limit for that work will run from the date that the relevant work was carried out.

Getting remediation work done
Before getting any repairs done you should consider how this will affect any claim for support under the FAP and Weathertight Homes Resolution Service.  Download the DBH information sheet here: www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Weathertightness/ws-repairs-and-resolution-process.pdf

Once you have decided to undertake repairs you should employ a professional to produce a “scope of works” document, which is a full description of what needs to be done.  This should include drawings and a building contract.

It is very important that you use a builder who is experienced in weathertightness remediation work, as it requires specialist supervision.  Look for a builder who can display the WaterTight Seal of Approval.  This means that they must meet a set of strict criteria, including:

• Having attended DBH Weathertight Training or equivalent

• Be a Licensed Building Practitioner

• Having previous experience in undertaking remedial works

• Meeting financial solvency criteria

You should also ask the builder for an independent, written guarantee for their work.  This means that if anything happens during the repairs, or subsequently, and the builder is unable or unwilling to complete the work, the guarantor will do so.  Click here for information on our WaterTight Warranty.