This is part of the government’s focus on increasing the supply of affordable homes for New Zealanders.
Proposed Changes The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, along with the Ministry for the Environment, are seeking feedback on options to enable granny flats up to 60 square metres in size, to be built without needing a building or resource consent, so long as they meet certain criteria. The government is proposing changes to the Building Act and the resource management system, which would require councils to allow small structures up to 60 square metres to be built without a resource consent.
Benefits and Risks The government is keen to understand all perspectives on potential costs, benefits, and risks for the criteria that granny flats and small homes will need to meet. They are seeking feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including those thinking about building a granny flat on their property, those wanting to live in a granny flat, builders and tradespeople, mortgage lenders and property insurance providers, and those responsible for building control, district planning, and infrastructure development.
Consultation Process The consultation is now open, and submissions are due by 5pm on Monday, 12 August 2024. The government is encouraging as many people as possible to have their say on this important issue.
This realignment by the government could potentially revolutionise the housing market in New Zealand, providing more affordable and flexible housing options for many New Zealanders. It will be interesting to see the outcomes of this consultation and the impact of these proposed changes on the future of housing in New Zealand.
