Assessment frequently asked questions

What is the average time it takes to do an assessment?

It depends on whether the claimant has requested a full assessor’s report or an eligibility assessor’s report.

The time taken for a full assessor’s report varies depending on factors like the size of the property, its location, the extent of damage, and machinery needed to access the building. The initial visit usually takes about two hours, which may be followed by a further investigative visit that can take anything from a few hours to two days. Once the investigation is completed, the assessor will write a report and submit it to Weathertight Services.

An eligibility assessor’s report is only one or two pages long and may be completed within a couple of weeks.

What are the required skills and training of assessors?

Weathertight Services assessors must be accredited Building Research Authority of New Zealand (BRANZ) advisers or members of the NZ Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) or members of the NZ Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS). All assessors must successfully complete an approved weathertightness course.

I have already had a report done on the property, do I need to have another one completed by a Weathertight Services assessor?

Yes. The WHRS Act 2006 requires Weathertight Services to have an assessor’s report prepared by one of its own assessors. When deciding whether the claim is eligible, the Chief Executive of the Department of Building and Housing must consider that assessor’s report. It is particularly important to establish and maintain the integrity and independence of the report, as it may be a key document at mediation or adjudication.

What can a claimant do if they disagree with the assessment?

If there are factual errors in the report, the claimant must let us know within 10 working days of receiving it. Factual errors do not include disagreement with the assessor’s opinions or conclusions as it is important that the report remains the assessor’s independent opinion. Any errors of fact that the claimant identifies will be considered and if necessary the assessor will amend the report to correct these errors.

If the assessor’s opinion is that the WHRS claim is ineligible and the claimant disagrees, they can make a submission to the Chief Executive of the Department of Building and Housing outlining why they think their claim meets the eligibility criteria set out in the WHRS Act (see Guidelines for claimant submissions). If the Chief Executive decides the claim is ineligible, the claimant can then apply to the Chair of the Weathertight Homes Tribunal for a reconsideration of the decision.

Can a claimant select which assessor carries out the WHRS assessment?

No, Weathertight Services appoints an assessor for the WHRS claim, to ensure high consistent standards are maintained.

Who pays for restoration work needed as a result of exploratory work by assessors?

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to arrange, and pay, for any restoration work. The assessor’s investigation of a house will include ‘invasive testing’ to measure moisture content and assess the damage to the house. Invasive testing enables the assessor to assess the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs.

Because of the nature of invasive testing, the WHRS Act requires the homeowner’s consent to invasive testing. The WHRS Act does not allow Weathertight Services to accept an application for an assessor’s report unless the homeowner(s) gives us this consent when they bring the WHRS claim.

The assessor will explain the reason for doing the invasive tests to the claimant and show them where they will cut or drill the holes. They will make temporary repairs to the drill-holes and cut-outs, but the homeowner will be responsible for making final repairs.

The assessor will not undertake invasive testing on houses that have already been fully repaired.

Do I need to be present when the assessor is at my house?

Homeowners (or an agent acting on their behalf) generally need to be at home when assessors are on site. All procedures used to carry out the assessment will be explained to the homeowner at the start of the process.

What happens once a claimant receives their report?

When the assessor’s report has been completed, the claimant will be given a copy, and they then have ten working days to let us know if there are any factual errors in it. If the assessor’s opinion is that the claim is ineligible, they will also be given a chance to make a submission on the eligibility of the claim (see Guidelines for claimant submissions). The report is then submitted to the Chief Executive of the Department of Building and Housing who decides whether the claim meets the eligibility criteria set out in the WHRS Act. The claims advisor will write to the claimant once a decision has been made as to whether the claim is eligible. If it is decided that the claim does not meet the criteria under the WHRS Act, the claimant can apply to the Chair of the Weathertight Homes Tribunal for a reconsideration of the decision.

If the claim is decided eligible, the claimant can then proceed to resolution of the claim.