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Residents of the Far North town of Kaeo are angry at being told to raise their homes to reduce flood risk.
Far North District Council has ordered 10 houses in Dip Rd to be raised half a metre, at the owners' expense.
Kaeo, with a population of about 500, has been hit by two floods in the past four months. But residents worry the bill to lift their homes - one was quoted $40,000 for the job - is unlikely to be covered by insurance.
"We've just got our heads above water, and now the council are trying to push us back under," Dip Rd resident Warren Martin said.
Neighbour Paula Jones said she was appalled when she received a "threatening and nasty" legal notice giving her four months to raise her home or possibly face court action.
Council spokesman Rick McCall said affected residents could be entitled to financial assistance. The council was preparing a funding request to the Government and hoped to submit that within three weeks.
He said the council was obliged to ensure the Building Act was complied with. "The fact floodwaters have been through the property creates sanitation issues which can impact on the health and safety of the occupants, irrespective of whether or not there has been structural damage."
Eighty notices had been issued in the district for buildings deemed dangerous or unsanitary.
- NZPA
