Weathertight Homes Resolution Service - updated figures
5/2/2004
A reassessment of Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) figures shows that fewer homeowners want to proceed with claims than previously thought.
Until recently, the number of claims reported by the WHRS included those from bodies corporate made in respect of all the unit owners in multiple dwelling complexes. The WHRS Act states that claims can only be accepted from the owner of the affected dwellinghouse.
WHRS National Manager Dr Lisa Ferguson said it had taken some time to contact all the individual unit owners covered by body corporate claims, but it was important to establish exactly how many people wanted to proceed with individual claims.
“We now know exactly how many homeowners want to use the WHRS to resolve their leaky home problems,” Dr Ferguson said. “The WHRS has 1,677 active claims and we are continuing to receive more applications every month.”
The WHRS has completed 52 resolutions: 35 using mediation, two through adjudication and 15 resolved by other means. The mediation and adjudication processes are underway for a further 132 homeowners. An additional 66 homeowners have had their cases deemed eligible by the WHRS Evaluation Panel and have yet to decide whether to proceed to mediation or adjudication.
Assessments to determine eligibility for the Service and the extent of property damage are provided at no cost to homeowners. If claims are eligible homeowners can choose to use the WHRS’s voluntary mediation process, opt for compulsory adjudication, or decide to take no further action. Homeowners are required to pay $200 towards the cost of mediation and $400 towards the cost of adjudication.
The WHRS freephone help line 0800 116 926 operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 7.00pm, except on statutory holidays. To date 5,719 calls have been received.
Homeowners can also access the WHRS through www.weathertightness.govt.nz which contains information about the work of the Service and issues related to leaky homes.
| Territorial Authority | Active WHRS claims (05/02/04) |
| Ashburton District Council | 1 |
| Auckland City Council | 625 |
| Banks Peninsula District Council | 1 |
| Buller District Council | 0 |
| Carterton District Council | 0 |
| Central Hawkes Bay District Council | 0 |
| Central Otago District Council | 0 |
| Chatham Islands Council | 0 |
| Christchurch City Council | 101 |
| Clutha District Council | 0 |
| Dunedin City Council | 5 |
| Far North District Council | 8 |
| Franklin District Council | 9 |
| Gisborne District Council | 6 |
| Gore District Council | 0 |
| Grey District Council | 1 |
| Hamilton City Council | 27 |
| Hastings District Council | 1 |
| Hauraki District Council | 3 |
| Horowhenua District Council | 0 |
| Hurunui District Council | 0 |
| Hutt City Council (Lower Hutt) | 12 |
| Invercargill City Council | 3 |
| Kaikoura District Council | 0 |
| Kaipara District Council | 2 |
| Kapiti Coast District Council | 14 |
| Kawerau District Council | 0 |
| MacKenzie District Council | 1 |
| Manawatu District Council | 2 |
| Manukau City Council | 59 |
| Marlborough District Council | 4 |
| Masterton District Council | 2 |
| Matamata-Piako District Council | 0 |
| Napier City Council | 6 |
| Nelson City Council | 8 |
| New Plymouth District Council | 4 |
| North Shore City Council | 231 |
| Opotiki District Council | 0 |
| Otorohanga District Council | 1 |
| Palmerston North City Council | 8 |
| Papakura District Council | 1 |
| Porirua City Council | 28 |
| Queenstown-Lakes District Council | 9 |
| Rangitikei District Council | 1 |
| Rodney District Council | 88 |
| Rotorua District Council | 2 |
| Ruapehu District Council | 0 |
| Selwyn District Council | 5 |
| South Taranaki District Council | 0 |
| South Waikato District Council | 0 |
| South Wairarapa District Council | 0 |
| Southland District Council | 1 |
| Stratford District Council | 0 |
| Tararua District Council | 0 |
| Tasman District Council | 11 |
| Taupo District Council | 4 |
| Tauranga District Council | 56 |
| Thames-Coromandel District Council | 16 |
| Timaru District Council | 9 |
| Upper Hutt City Council | 3 |
| Waikato District Council | 3 |
| Waimakariri District Council | 6 |
| Waimate District Council | 0 |
| Waipa District Council | 6 |
| Wairoa District Council | 0 |
| Waitakere City Council | 82 |
| Waitaki District Council | 0 |
| Waitomo District Council | 0 |
| Wanganui District Council | 4 |
| Wellington City Council | 167 |
| Western Bay of Plenty District Council | 5 |
| Westland District Council | 1 |
| Whakatane District Council | 7 |
| Whangarei District Council | 17 |
| TOTAL | 1,677 |
For more information: Colin Feslier, Manager, Communications
Department of Internal Affairs
Phone: (04) 495 9460, Mobile: 0274 575 676
OR
- Kate Harray, Communications Adviser
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service
Phone: (04) 494 0620
