'Some deserve mouldy homes' says City councillor

Homeowners who refuse to pay extra for treated timber deserve to live in mouldy homes, says Auckland City councillor Victoria Carter.

"I went to [Sunday's] public meeting on leaky buildings where a builder quoted the case of a couple building a house who refused to pay $480 extra to have treated timber," she said yesterday.

"If people want to build homes with flat roofs, untreated timber, parapets and so on, let their designers and architects carry the risk and not the hapless Auckland City ratepayer."

Ms Carter wants the council to investigate a warranty system for homes.

National MP Wayne Mapp said her comments were insensitive. "There are people whose life savings are at stake."

The Building Industry Authority had approved untreated timber, he said.

"You rely on these things being safe because experts say they are."

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

Further reading
Feature: Leaky buildings

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