30-12-1899

Minister Calls for Input into Unit Titles Act Review

1. News
2. 1999
3. December

Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove said today a comprehensive review of the Unit Titles Act 1972 is being driven by big changes in the types of buildings New Zealanders live and work in.

Mr Cosgrove today launched a discussion document, Unit Titles Act: Options for Change, which seeks input from the public, and the building and housing sector.

“The fact there will be half a million people living in apartments, townhouses and high-rise buildings in Auckland alone in 50 years time, shows the review's importance.'

“The Act impacts on the growing number of New Zealanders who do not live in three-bedroom homes on quarter acre sections. It is a seriously outdated piece of legislation that no longer meets the needs of users, or owners, of multi-unit residential or commercial buildings,' Mr Cosgrove said.

The document's proposals include redefining the responsibilities of bodies corporate and unit owners, suggested improvements to decision-making and dispute resolution processes, changed definitions for common property and unit entitlement, and enhanced consumer protection measures.

“These and other proposals, including possible mandatory long-term financial maintenance and repair planning by bodies corporate and mandatory information disclosure by developers, bodies corporate and unit sellers, came out of the initial public consultation early last year,” Mr Cosgrove said.

“The review process – and this key second consultation period – is crucial to getting the public's views to ensure we achieve an Act flexible enough to keep up with the fast-changing environment of multi-unit building developments.' Mr Cosgrove said he encouraged all those with an interest in multi-unit buildings to contribute to reviewing and updating the law that would serve them.

The discussion document is available on the Department of Building and Housing’s website at www.dbh.govt.nz and submissions close on Friday June 2, 2006.