Building Act Changes Coming for Homeowners

1 March is bringing changes to all homeowners who are undertaking significant building or renovation work.

Changes to the Building Act mean that from the start of next month, all critical building work must be done or supervised by licensed building practitioners (LBPs). This type of work includes foundations, framing, roofing and cladding in residential homes, as well as active fire safety systems in small-to-medium-sized apartment buildings.

“For homeowners, the change means they must make sure that any work done is handled by an LBP, and they submit a copy of the LBP memorandum with their building consent application,” says Manager Customer and Regulatory Services Simon Pickford.

“The Department of Building and Housing made these changes in the Building Act 2004 to encourage better design and construction.

“When you’re looking at building or renovating, the first question a homeowner must ask is if the person they are working with is an LBP.”

Professions required to become LBPs include designers, carpenters, roofers, external plasterers, bricklayers and block layers. Registered architects, chartered professional engineers and plumbers are already deemed to be LBPs.

An exemption will be available to owner-builders (DIYers) when the Building Amendment Bill No. 3 has been passed into law.

For more information on the LBP scheme and on how to find a licensed building practitioner, click on the links at the bottom of this page.

How does the LPB scheme affect the building consent process?

From 1 March:

• When you submit your building consent application, you will need to include a memorandum (certificate of work) from an LBP certifying that the design work complies with the Building Code. Otherwise, your application will not be accepted.
• Restricted work cannot start and inspection will not be accepted until the Council has been advised, in writing, of the relevant LBP who will be doing the work.
• When your building work is completed, you will need to include the memorandum (record of building work) from your trade LBPs with your application for a code compliance certificate (CCC). Otherwise, your CCC may not be issued.