Weathertight Homes Financial Assistance Package News Release 2010-10-19

Weathertight Homes Financial Assistance Package

Transition arrangements for existing claimants under Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act

19 October 2010 news release from Department of Building and Housing

The Weathertight Homes Financial Assistance Package for owners of leaky homes has moved closer with the Minister for Building and Construction sending local authorities a formal invitation to participate in the package. Following formal invitation in September 2010, the majority of the most-affected local authorities have agreed to participate. These represent an estimated 90\% of likely weathertight claims. The package centres on the Government and local authorities each contributing 25\% of the agreed repair costs and homeowners funding the remaining 50\%. Homeowners who choose to apply for the package must agree not to sue the territorial authority and the Government.

Eligibility

Any person with an active claim under the WHRS Act at the date the financial assistance package comes into force will be able to opt into the package so long as:

  • A full assessment under the WHRS Act has been done on the home.
  • The property has not been repaired already or, if repairs have started, they have not been completed and there has been no code compliance certificate issued for weathertightness repairs.
  • There has been no attempt to mediate a settlement of the claim or, in the course of mediation, both the territorial authority and the claimant agree to opt into the FAP.

Applying for the FAP

The Government hopes to have the package available for owners of leaky homes from early to mid 2011. Following launch, existing claimants who do not have a full assessment can apply for the package up to three months after the completion of a full assessment of their property.

Existing claimants who already have a full assessment must decide if they want to opt into the financial package within 14 days of it becoming operational. If they wish, their claims can be put on ¡°hold¡± for three months during which time they must undertake whatever actions necessary, such as discussions with banks, which may be necessary to enable them to opt in. At the end of three months, they must notify the Department of Building and Housing in writing that they want to proceed with the financial assistance package.

Owners still permitted to continue dispute resolution with other parties

Applying for the financial assistance package does not prevent claimants continuing with dispute resolution under the WHRS Act against non-territorial authority and non-Crown parties if they wish.

More information

For more information on the financial assistance package go to //www.dbh.govt.nz/ws-proposed-financial-assistance

Back to Articles

 

This entry was posted in Compensation. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *