Owners face levy to plug leaks

Owners of an apartment block at Browns Bay on Auckland's North Shore have dipped into their own pockets to stop it leaking.

Since learning seven months ago that the $6 million resort-style Bacchus complex was leaking, owners of the 48 units have made individual complaints to the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service.

But their efforts to get the developer, builder and approval agencies to pay proved fruitless, said an owner, Adrian Went.

"So we pay an extra levy in order to start the repairs because it gets worse every day, of course.

"I pay ... an extra $44,000 in order to start the first repairs."

Repairs would be be done in three stages, starting next month with the roof on the penthouses. They could take three years to complete.

Mr Went believed the repair bill could be several million dollars. Owners would pursue their claims in the High Court.

"It's a disaster because most of the people are almost retired and they bought the apartment thinking this will cost me so much, and in five to 10 years, to afford a retirement home. But now they have to borrow to pay the extra levy."

A relative of another owner said many owners could not afford to pay and were hoping for a rebate from the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service to pay for the second stage.

The four-storey building was admired when built six years ago in the town centre - a short stroll from the beach. Two apartments sold this year for $295,000 and $400,000.

It was developed by Joel McLellan, who told the Herald in March that his company went into liquidation four years ago and he had had nothing to do with the property since.

The builder was Multiplex Construction but its managing director, Dan Ashby, said yesterday it was not a design and build project.

The firm was aware there was a leaky building issue and was awaiting the results of investigations.

Parties involved in the project include the developer, North Shore City Council as the consent agency, and a former building certification firm.

Council senior adviser in compliance and monitoring Brian Gunson said a claim had yet to be lodged against the council.