Unit Titles Act passed

Parliament today passed Unit Titles Act 2010, replacing legislation that was nearly 40 years old.

It is the primary legislation covering the management and development of buildings like blocks of flats.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said there had been "massive change" in the last 40 years.

"Under the old Act, body corporates needed unanimous agreement to undertake any maintenance or repairs on buildings," he said.

"That might have been appropriate when apartment buildings only had half a dozen units, but is too restrictive in a building with 100 units or more.

"Under the new law, this is changed to a 75 per cent agreement threshold."

Mr Williamson said the Unit Titles Act was also a small but integral part of a package of solutions the Government was looking at for people living in leaky apartment buildings.

"The new Act includes provisions that lower voting thresholds, clarify ownership of common property and give the body corporate wider responsibilities for repair and maintenance of the building," he said.

- NZPA