The owner of a house that has spent the past five years perched on temporary piles in Greymouth has started to remove them in a bid to make it safer.
However, efforts at the weekend to remove the piles caused the old house to start falling in on itself.
Despite the collapse, the Grey District Council says it is actually safer than having it balanced precariously on high pile supports.
Building control team leader Phil Beck said he believed the house was relocated in January 2008.
"The house in question has been subject to council enforcement action with the building owner for some while. This was initially instigated on August 8, 2012."