Landmark Leaky Home Decision Could Open Door for Hundreds of Claims

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A lawyer says hundreds of leaky-home owners could seek to overturn rejected compensation bids after a landmark Supreme Court decision.

In a judgment released today, the court clarified the start time for the 10-year period people have to make claims to the Weathertight Homes Tribunal.

It is now clear that the time starts when a code compliance certificate is issued by a local council, rather than when construction of the property ended.

Auckland couple John and Helen Osborne successfully argued for that at New Zealand’s highest cort, the Supreme Court, where they took their claim against Auckland Council.

Mrs Osborne said the house, which they still live in, was “an absolute nightmare” while it was leaking.

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed. I can’t believe we’ve finally had a yes. We’ve never had a yes in the seven years we’ve been trying to get compensation,” she told One News.

The Osbornes’ lawyer, Tim Rainey, told Newstalk ZB today the judgment meant there were potentially 369 claimants previously deemed ineligible who could push for a re-hearing.

“We believe the tribunal or the [Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment] should be reviewing all of its eligibility decisions and remaking those decisions applying the correct standard and the correct law.”

He said the time difference between building completion and the issuing of compliance certificates could be anything from days to two or three years. But, no matter how long it was, being on the right side of the limitation was important for potential claimants.

There was no need to be sympathetic toward councils who could now have to settle on matters of admitted negligence when they previously hid behind a “procedural excuse”, Mr Rainey said.

Home Owners and Buyers Association of NZ president John Gray said the organisation was seeking legal advice over what courses of action were available to home owners previously denied the chance to make a claim in the same circumstances as the Osbornes.

The decision would not help owners of homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s anyway, he said, as they would be outside the 10-year period however it was judged.

Mr Gray said the association would like legislation amended to make the time limit for claims 15 or 20 years.

The Osbornes’ trouble with their 1996 Remuera home began shortly after they bought it in April 1997. That month, and in February 1997, code compliance certificates were issued.

Failed repair attempts were carried out between July 1997 and 2002, and the Osbornes filed a claim with the tribunal in February 2007.

However, only matters related to later repairs were deemed by the tribunal as eligible for claims. A year ago the couple had spent $500,000 fully repairing their home, where they still live.

Previously the Osbornes had sought a judicial review of the tribunal decision but the High Court upheld the tribunal’s decision.

The Court of Appeal declined to hear the case, but last year the Supreme Court decided it would pick it up.

Its judgement said the Osbornes and the council reached a conditional settlement after the hearing, subject to the Supreme Court not releasing its decision.

But the court decided to make its judgment public because “the case raised questions of public importance”. The Osbornes and the council will now have to go to the tribunal if they can’t reach another settlement.

The Supreme Court also ruled Auckland Council must pay the Osbornes $25,000 in costs.

In a statement today, the council said it would not comment on the decision until it had the chance to consider the full written judgment.

“The council’s offer to the Osbornes is now null and void and the claim will go back to the tribunal. This is not to say the claim is not capable of settling on different terms at a later date but all the building parties of both the original works and the unconsented repairs will be included in the resolution of the claim.”

The statement said Auckland Council had settled 1124 leaky home claims and had another 85 yet to be settled, involving 2170 dwellings or units.

A statement from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said it was considering the judgment and what, if any, implications it had on eligibility decisions under the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act.

– NZ Herald

Stamford Now Includes Renovation and Re-Clad Projects in Their Policy Range

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Many New Zealand home owners undertake major renovation projects to bring their home into the 21st century and we recognise that these projects deserve the protection of our warranty just as much as new homes.

The re-cladding of leaky homes and apartments is also set to gather momentum as homeowners and body corporates settle their claims with government, localcouncils and the original contractor, become “cashed-up” and ready to tackle the problems with their homes. The last thing any of these owners need is for the re-clad project itself to go wrong, as many already have, and to find themselves back at square one.

Owners of leaky buildings and others carrying out extension or renovation projects can now obtain a 10 year warranty from Stamford to cover the new works.

In conjunction with HOBANZ and re-clad specialist surveyors, Maynard Marks,Stamford Insurance has devised a new policy which will incorporate a rigorous design and materials appraisal, intended to ensure that these projects achieve their objective – a sound, weather tight home which will carry a new 10 year warranty. It will provide closure to the problems of leaky homes and give owners what they need most – peace of mind.

The warranty is transferrable to a new owner, making it likely that the current owner should be able to sell the property at a more attractive price.

HOBANZ, the Home Owners and Buyers Association of New Zealand is a not-for profit organisation dedicated to helping the owners of leaky buildings to obtain appropriate compensation and then advising those owners on how to best undertake the renovation project. They have unrivalled expertise based on lessons learned the hard way and have built a network of trusted providers to ensure that projects are executed to the
highest standards.

One thing is certain – there are no short-cuts worth taking when dealing with a leaky home or apartment building. Do it once and do it right is the golden rule.

So whether you are undertaking a renovation, an extension or a re-clad, Stamford can now provide a 10 year warranty for your project.

For more information contact Stamford Insurance direct or HOBANZ www.hobanz.org.nz

$40M Solar Power Project in the Cook Islands Covered by Stamford

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Stamford Insurance using its construction insurance expertise and connections in the London market.

Local underwriters were unable to provide the cover required for the project which is being largely funded by the Government of New Zealand under its Overseas Aid programme for the Pacific Islands.

“New Zealand is working in partnership with the Cook Islands’ Government to boost renewable energy use across the islands. The goal is to provide efficient, reliable, safe,affordable, and sustainable electricity,” said High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers.

The Cook Islands Government has set ambitious targets for 50 per cent renewable energy by 2015 and 100 per cent by 2020.

The energy initiatives in the Cook Islands are part of a wider programme of sustainable energy initiatives across the Pacific that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is supporting through the New Zealand Aid Programme.

Stamford worked closely with Auckland broker, Penberthy, to place the Contract Works programme, insuring the interests of the respective governments, the main contractor and their nominated sub-contractors.

Director Duncan Colebrook said “We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious project and pleased to be able to deliver competitive terms when no other local company could step up. It demonstrates once again our understanding of the construction industry and our ability to deliver quality and value in insurance”