Changes to weathertight resolution service

The Government plans to change the service looking into leaky buildings to make it simpler and faster for victims.

Building Issues Minister Chris Carter said changes to the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service would be looked at under a review.

The Department of Building and Housing, which took responsibility for the service this month, would look at possible operational and law changes to the service.

The Government wants the review to consider:

* Streamlining and simplifying each stage of the claims process,

* prioritising claims more effectively to ensure homeowners whose houses may deteriorate rapidly, or who face health risks, have their claims dealt with quicker,

* offering a faster and less intensive process for claims below a certain value or complexity,

* helping residents in multi-unit dwellings use the service,

* holding as liable directors involved in claims where former companies are not available,

* tightening up on the use of lawyers in the dispute resolution process, and

* encouraging owners of leaky homes to undertake repairs quickly.

Mr Carter said after 18 months of operation areas that could be improved had been identified in the service.

Mr Carter said the government had an ongoing commitment to helping owners of leaky homes fix their homes.

"We will continue to examine new ways of doing things in the service as new information comes to light over the lifetime of the leaky buildings problem."

The Government set up The Weathertight Homes Resolution Service to help decide disputes over leaky homes following the discovery of a rash of poorly built, leaking apartments and houses around New Zealand.

It has been estimated the cost of leaky home repair bills could top $1 billion.

The Government had also tightened up building rules to ensure building quality and reduce the risk of building defects.

National recently claimed the problem could be ongoing as it believed T1.2 spray-treated timber, used for exterior framing, is not up to the standard stipulated after the leaky homes debacle.

- NZPA