Welcome to the January 2026 edition of the Weather Tight Solutions blog! As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the evolving landscape of building regulations in New Zealand and how they impact homeowners like you. With over 20 years of experience in weathertight inspections and remedial work across Auckland and Waikato, we’re here to provide practical insights to help you protect your most valuable asset—your home.

New Zealand’s leaky homes crisis, which emerged prominently in the 1990s and 2000s, has cost billions in repairs due to factors like untreated timber, monolithic claddings, and design flaws that allowed moisture ingress. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of homes built in that era were affected, with many issues still emerging today. Remediation often uncovers additional problems, such as substandard insulation, electrical faults, or structural weaknesses, significantly increasing costs.

Progress has been made since the 2004 Building Act amendments, which improved exterior and interior water management requirements, but alarmingly significant defects in newer buildings continue to raise concerns, especially amid warnings of potential new risks from non-compliant materials and products. We recommend booking a full building and weathertight maintenance inspection to make sure you fully understand the true condition of your home. Call us now at 0800 532 578 for a no-obligation consultation.

In late 2025, the government introduced major reforms, including mandatory home warranties for new residential buildings up to three storeys and renovations over $100,000 involving restricted building work. These provide a 1-year defect period and 10-year structural coverage, alongside a shift to proportionate liability and mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers and builders. The changes aim to enhance homeowner protection and industry accountability, with the Building Amendment Bill expected in early 2026.

However, leaky home experts and lawyers have expressed concerns that these warranties may not fully protect owners, particularly in multi-unit apartments, where shared liabilities could lead to significant financial burdens. Additionally, Treasury has warned that mandatory warranties could increase costs, reduce housing supply, and impact innovation.

Leaky home lawyers fear building overhaul could leave owners in ruin - nzherald.co.nz

Industry groups have also highlighted a surge in non-compliant windows and doors, and other construction materials and products often imported or falsely certified, potentially risking another wave of weathertightness issues if not addressed through stronger enforcement.

Meanwhile, the Weathertight Homes Tribunal is winding down, with no new claims accepted since 2021 and remaining cases expected to conclude by 2026, shifting resolutions to private channels.

In this evolving regulatory environment, a professional weathertight inspection remains essential. At Weather Tight Solutions, our non-invasive moisture testing, thermal imaging, and invasive investigations align with NZS4306:2005 standards, providing detailed reports with photos and expert recommendations. Whether buying, selling, or maintaining a property, early detection of moisture ingress, insulation gaps, or vulnerabilities can prevent expensive repairs.

For commercial properties, our electrical thermal imaging aids preventative maintenance and insurance compliance.

•  Assess Your Risk: Homes built before 2010, especially with direct-fixed claddings or untreated timbers, should be inspected regularly.

•  Stay Informed: Follow Building Act updates and seek independent reviews of reports—we offer free peer reviews, please send us your reports for independent review.

•  Plan for Remediation: From targeted fixes to full recladding, our team manages consents and council processes.

•  Regional Focus: In Auckland’s humidity or Waikato’s variable conditions, proactive checks are key to avoiding escalation.

Prevention is always better and generally significantly cheaper than cure. With ongoing industry challenges, professional expertise is your best defence.

Ready to protect your home? Book a comprehensive weathertight inspection with Weather Tight Solutions today. Our qualified expert inspectors deliver fast, accurate results. Call 0800 532 578 for a free consultation or get your quote online now—don’t let hidden issues catch you off guard in the wet months ahead! Visit www.weathertightsolutions.co.nz to secure your booking.