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Two Aucklanders are philosophical about the condition of their Ponsonby home, despite expert reports saying the building is structurally unsound and would be extensively damaged in very strong winds or a moderate earthquake.
The reports helped LRM Developments gain resource consent to demolish the century-old villa - in historic Summer St - to make way for three townhouses resembling two-storey cottages.
Liz Mannell, of LRM Developments, said yesterday she had not told tenants about two structural engineering reports into the condition of the extensively modified villa.
She said she had been advised by structural engineers Markplan Consulting that there was no safety risk to tenants in the five flats in the house. There is a sixth flat in an out-house on the site. The only risk was in an extreme situation, she said.
"We are confident that this house is not going to be a danger to the tenants in it as it stands at the moment," she said.
The Herald spoke to two tenants, neither of whom had been told about the structural reports.
Susan Sayer, who pays $250 a week for a one-bedroom flat, said the house felt "as solid as a rock". She was happy to stay on a month-by-month rental arrangement until the house was demolished.
Journalist Richard Wain, who also pays $250 a week for a one-bedroom flat, said the walls between the flats were thin and there was no insulation but the house did not feel structurally unsound. He was untroubled by the reports.
"I would rather they fixed the house up rather than knocked it down," he said.
Paul Vodanovich, who lives next door to the proposed development and has been fighting to preserve the house, has written to Mayor John Banks about the safety of tenants.
"A clear flow-on consequence is that anyone residing in the house is at risk of significant injury or death," Mr Vodanovich said.
Markplan Consulting were commissioned by LRM Developments after planning commissioners asked for a structural engineer's report.
Their report was peer reviewed for the council by the professional services company, GHD. GHD structural services manager Robert Gross said the house had significant structural compromises.
"The lack of bracing to the roof and walls, together with the virtual complete lack of sub-floor bracing means that in the event of a moderate earthquake or very strong wind the sub-floor would most probably collapse and the rest of the house be extensively damaged."
Mr Gross concluded his report by saying that to fully comply with the structural requirements of the Building Code, the house would have to be demolished and completely rebuilt.
Auckland City Environments group manager Mark Vinall said the council's interpretation of the engineers' reports was that the house was safe for tenants "in the ordinary course of events".
