Doors bolted shut after deck falls

Tessa Plunkett was celebrating her 21st birthday party when the deck collapsed. Photo / Christine Cornege

A woman says she is living in uncomfortable conditions while she waits for a home owner to remove a rotten deck, which collapsed when 15 friends were on it.

Tenant Tessa Plunkett, who lives in Saxbys Rd, Glenview in Hamilton with her son Hunter, 2, had been told the deck would be removed by November 19. She is surprised the Hamilton City Council has granted an extension.

Miss Plunkett said the two ranchsliders leading to the deck had been bolted up to block access to the deck and the windows on that side of the house had kiddie-locks on them, while the issue was being sorted.

"It's like a sauna in here."

She had also been looking at other houses and a few days ago told her property manager she would not pay rent until it was fixed.

Part of the deck collapsed on November 5 when 15 friends were on it, celebrating Miss Plunkett's 21st birthday. Six people slid off as it fell inwards and Miss Plunkett spent three nights in hospital.

Hamilton City Council building control manager Phil Saunders said the council ordered the deck removed and had since granted the landlord a two-week extension.

He said the council made sure access to the deck was restricted before the extension allowing the owner's insurance company time to assess it was granted. "We are not obliged to notify the tenant and have been working with the owner, who is responsible in terms of the Building Act," Mr Saunders said.

"However, we have kept the tenant informed of developments as best we can which included a discussion if we found someone at home when we visited."

But Miss Plunkett disagreed and said other than blocking off the deck she had not heard from the council until Tuesday afternoon when a staff member visited.

Miss Plunkett said an insurance assessor had also been to the property on November 21 - a day before the deck initially was meant to be removed.

"I haven't heard anything from anyone. It's like they don't care because I'm young and they don't think I'm going to do anything."

The council would take further action if the deck was not removed when the extension expired next Tuesday.

Property management firm Lodge confirmed the landlord was handling the situation and expected the deck would be removed before the deadline.