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Department of Building and Housing
The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) was established in November 2004 by incorporating the formerly separate organisations:
- Ministry of Housing
- Building Industry Authority
- Weathertight Homes Resolution Service from the Department of Internal Affairs,
- building policy functions from the Ministry of Economic Development
- related functions from the Ministry of Social Development and Housing New Zealand Corporation
Responsibilities
The department's stated responsibilities are:
- ensuring an effective regulatory environment for the sector
- regulating the sector
- delivering effective information, advice and dispute resolution services
- providing purchase and monitoring advice to the government on Housing New Zealand Corporation
- providing policy advice on the sector, including emerging trends and issues and regulation
- providing occupational licensing for the sector
- working with Housing New Zealand Corporation to improve housing outcomes for the sector
- undertaking analysis of the building and housing environment, emerging issues and monitoring trends
- influencing the wider Government sector to ensure it contributes to the Government’s goals for housing
- working with other agencies to influence and promote delivering the Government’s outcomes for the housing and building sector
- undertaking specific initiatives under the New Zealand Housing Strategy.
The Department also administers a range of legislation and regulations in the building and housing sector.
Services
The department provides services in relation to tenancy, building, weathertightness, and licensing.
Tenancy
DBH is responsible for administering the Residential Tenancies Act. In support of this the department provides:
- A bond lodgement service
- A disputes resolution service
- A range of checklists and forms including downloadable tenancy and bond lodgement forms
- Market rent statistics
Building
DBH is responsible for administering the New Zealand Building Act, Building Regulations and Building Code, and the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme.
DBH has created the ConsumerBuild website in partnership with the Consumers Institute of New Zealand. The website aims to "provide clear, independent and up-to-date information to the public about building, buying, renovating and maintaining houses in New Zealand"
Weathertightness
DBH administers the Weathertight Service to help owners of Leaky Homes, as well as provide information and guidance about weathertightness.
