Lower-value leaky home claims to be fast-tracked

Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove says claims under $20,000 will now be considered lower-value, and will be managed through a new, streamlined WHRS claims process.

This process will encourage fast resolution of claims informally through negotiation and mediation within set timeframes.
 
If settlement is not reached then an application can be made to the new Weathertight Homes Tribunal for adjudication based on the papers, unless a hearing is needed.

Cosgrove also announced that from 1 April 2007, claimants would be able to get a new, comprehensive, assessor report that would include potential as well as actual non-weathertightness damage repair costs.

The fees for a full assessor’s report are $500 for individual homeowners and $1500 for representative claims from multi-unit complexes. There will be no cost for an eligibility assessment report.

“New WHRS claimants and claimants yet to be decided eligible will be able to get these new beefed up assessment reports that can be used as expert evidence during the claims process,” Cosgrove says.