Weathertightness Chief Adjudicator appointed

The Rotorua-based barrister was formerly Principal Tenancy Adjudicator with the Tenancy Tribunal.

Under the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill currently before Parliament, it is proposed that the Chief Adjudicator become the chair of a new Weathertight Homes Tribunal. The Bill proposes new enhanced investigative powers and authority for the Tribunal, including new offence provisions when parties fail to appear when summoned or disobey an order of the Tribunal.

Other key proposals in the Bill include:
·    more comprehensive assessment reports so people can claim for potential as well as actual weathertightness-related damage;
·    changing the voting thresholds to make it easier to resolve multi-unit claims;
·    a new, streamlined process for lower value claims;
·    requiring territorial authorities to place WHRS notices on Land Information Memorandum (LIM) reports, and
·    time limited mediation.

Cosgrove said he hopes to have the legislation passed before Christmas, and to have the reforms in place by 1 April 2007.