Renovating? Do you need consent?

Renovating and DIY is in our DNA, but it’s important to know when you do and when you don’t require Council consent for the work you are about to undertake.

All building work must comply with the current Building Code, and some building work will require consent. As the owner of the home, and prior to any renovating starting, it is your responsibility to establish when you need to take the formal route with Council (see https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for information on this). There is also the term ‘restricted building work’ - this relates to residential building projects that affect weathertightness and a building’s structure. When work you are doing falls into this category, a LBP (licensed building practitioner) must carry out or at least supervise this type of work.

Ensuring any work completed on your home is consented is so important when it comes time to sell your home – buyers will find it almost impossible to obtain finance if unconsented work exists; it will become a price-sensitive issue (meaning the lack of consent will affect your end sale price) and it will lessen your buyer pool extensively.

Lastly, if you are on a cross-lease title, some renovations/additions require your flats plan to be updated (the diagram of your home’s footprint on page two of your title). This is often over-looked and can be a problem for buyers and their lawyers at sale time if the title is declared defective. Talk to your lawyer about this one!