Safety problems in state tenants' flats

A block of Auckland apartments leased to state tenants has serious building problems, says a consulting engineer.

A structural review of Pepperwood Mews at 4045 Great North Rd in West Auckland revealed structural issues. But Housing New Zealand, which rents the apartments to state tenants, has denied any liability.

George Downey, of consultants Lough Downey, recommended quick action to fix the problems as a matter of urgency and said the properties had structural shortcomings.

Problems were sufficiently serious in most areas of the building to warrant a complete re-assessment of the structural integrity of the buildings.

"It is our opinion that the buildings ... have not been adequately designed for compliance with the building code, and may be unsafe," Mr Downey wrote.

"We recommend that the full extent of the structural shortcomings be established as a matter of urgency.

"It is not clear how this should be done, but in the first instance the original designers should be approached to address the findings of this report.

"Further to that, the Waitakere City Council should be fully apprised of the situation as there might be implications with regards to the code compliance certificate."

Adrian Chitty, who owns one of the apartments, said he was deeply concerned about the problem.

Housing New Zealand's general manager of assets, Kevin Mara, said his organisation did not accept liability for the structural or weathertightness problems at Pepperwood Mews.

"We don't own the building, we don't own the land, we didn't design or build the building," he said.

"Our involvement has been to lease 32 units in the complex from private owners.

"We have been concerned for some time about the state of the building and the impact of problems with it on our tenants.

"We have been discussing these issues with the owners of the building.

"We have already moved out those tenants who have been worst effected, and we are closely monitoring the well-being of our remaining tenants.

"We have been awaiting an instruction from the owners, which would allow us to move out the remaining tenants without having to continue to pay rent for units we cannot use.