News Release Office of the Mayor 29 July 2011

Positive outcome for homeowners and ratepayers

The Mayor has welcomed the announcement of details of the Weathertight Homes Financial Assistance package saying it is a positive outcome for owners of leaky homes and ratepayers.

Under the package, qualifying homeowners will receive a 25 per cent contribution from the Government and may receive 25 per cent from their local council. The contributions are based on actual repair costs.

Qualifying claimants will also need to demonstrate they can pay their share of the repair cost.

Len Brown says the package offers choice to homeowners in a stressful situation by having the focus on repairing the home rather than funding a court battle to establish liability, which often leaves the homeowner with insufficient money at the end to carry out the repair. “Auckland Council has been a strong supporter of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (Financial Assistance Package) Amendment Bill and has worked closely with the Government in developing the details of the financial assistance package,” says the Mayor.

People will have the choice of taking up the package, which sees the government and councils each contributing 25 per cent of the repair costs and the affected homeowners funding the remaining 50 per cent backed by a government loan guarantee.

“This offers certainty of cost to council and therefore ratepayers by funding a fixed 25 per cent of the repair,” says Len Brown.

Those who do not take up the package can still choose to sue. The package also means councils will not pick up the tab for absent building parties.

Building parties can also voluntarily enter the package and contribute to the repairs, indemnifying them against any subsequent litigation.

Ends

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