Cantabrians to find out if they can rebuild from today

A cottage damaged in the earthquake. Photo / Alan Gibson

Has the EQC told you whether or not your home can be inhabited after the earthquake? Tell us your story.

Cantabrians whose properties suffered "significant land damage" during the September 4 earthquake will from today learn whether they can rebuild their homes.

At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, Prime Minister John Key said around 1,200 residents could expect to receive phone calls from the Earthquake Commission from today.

The calls would be followed by an information pack, which would include proposals for fixing the land, and copies of EQC's engineering report, he said.

"This is not the end of the process for landowners, however. The next steps will involve the landowner talking to their insurers and EQC about a programme and timeline for the repair or rebuild of their property."

Mr Key said in most of these cases EQC was in the process of paying out the first $100,000 of the repair work so home owners could have some mortgage relief.

The reconstruction work would start right away but Mr Key said the whole process could take years.

"The whole remediation process for damaged land could take up to two years of civil work and construction."

Only around 20 homes were considered beyond saving, Mr Key said.

On Friday it was announced Fletcher Construction had been appointed to project manage about 50,000 house damage claims.

"People will start to see a lot of action as temporary project management offices are located around the region," Mr Key said.

Mr Key said local tradesmen would be given priority to carry out the reconstruction work.

"While claim numbers are close to 100,000, EQC has noted that some people in badly damaged land haven't lodged a claim yet," he said.

"Those who have suffered land or house damage should EQC and lodge a claim so they can be processed.