Leaky home claims begin to flood in

A "significant number" of leaky home owners are looking to the Government's Weathertight Homes Resolution Service for help, the Department of Internal Affairs says.

So far 361 claims covering 722 dwellings have been received by the service, established after widespread complaints about the watertightness of houses.

More than 2000 calls had been received by the resolution service's free phone line. Some of the applications were from individuals, and others were from bodies corporate covering more than one home, manager David Curry said.

"The number of applications is continuing to increase," Mr Curry said.

"Case managers are liaising with affected home owners and cases are being progressively referred to assessors who provide free, independent assessments of property damage."

At present 86 assessments were under way.

Internal Affairs oversees the Government watchdog for building problems, the Building Industry Authority (BIA). The BIA failed to alert Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins about the weathertightness problem, which is expected to take millions of dollars to fix.

The resolution service was established late last year to deal with complaints from people who had problems with leaking homes.

Mr Curry said it had 15 mediators throughout the country and was working towards establishing a panel of adjudicators.

"In order to get through the initial case load as quickly as possible, we are seeking to engage additional qualified assessors and extend the time contracted with existing assessors."

- NZPA

* If you have information about leaking buildings,
email the Herald or fax (09) 373-6421.

Herald feature: Leaky buildings

Related links