9 May 2005 Media Statement

Leaky building support to be reviewed

The government is to consider whether services established to help homeowners with leaky houses can be enhanced, Building Issues Minister Chris Carter said today.

"The Labour-Progressive government is committed to working with homeowners, local government and the building industry to address problems with leaky buildings. That is an ongoing commitment, not a static one," Mr Carter said.

"With this in mind, I have opened discussions with local government about the possibility of enhancements to services available to assist homeowners with leaky buildings. Those discussions are at an early stage, and it is too early to say what they will yield.

"The government-funded Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) was set up to provide homeowners with a cheaper, more efficient option for resolving disputes around leaky buildings," Mr Carter said.

"The WHRS is fulfilling its function well but there may be more government can do. We've got better information now on the leaky buildings situation. A number of adjudications have established degrees of liability by builders and territorial authorities. This might enable discussions to take place that couldn't before."

ENDS

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