Housing

Buildings and the Law

Buildings (except for private dwellings) built or modified after 1992 are required to comply with the requirements of the Building Act 1992. Section 6(2)(e) of this Act, requires that reasonable and adequate provision is made for people with disabilities who wish to use the building and facilities.

Building Act 2004
News and information about the Building Act and review of the Building Code, as well as discussion documents, publications and activities.

Standards New Zealand produce the publication "Design for Access and Mobility - Buildings and Associated Facilities NZS 4121:2001". It provides all the dimensions required for a building or facility to comply with the Building Act. Copies of this publication are available from government bookshops. Large public libraries may hold a reference copy. For further information, email Enable New Zealand or phone on CallFree 0800 17 1981. Alternatively, contact your local Disability Information Centre, CallFree 0800 693 342.

Fire Evacuation Compliance
The Fire Service Act 1975 [sec 21A] and Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 1992 set out the criteria and requirements for the implementation and maintenance of Fire Evacuation Schemes and Evacuation Procedures.

Links to information about accommodation, building and design in New Zealand

Accessibility Audit Reports
Advice on how to obtain an audit on a building's accessibility.

Building Industry Authority
A New Zealand crown agency that manages the building control system.

Building Research Association of New Zealand
The building and construction industries research, testing, consulting and technology association.

Consumer Build
Tips for designing a home with accessibility in mind.

Eldernet New Zealand
Provides a searchable list of resthomes, retirement villages and hospitals.

Enable Housing Advisory Service
This service provides specialised assessors with technical input, support and advice regarding housing modifications.

Department of Building and Housing
Provides information, advice and a dispute resolution service between tenants and landlords.

Tenancy Tribunal
A court that deals with unresolved problems between landlords and tenants.


Agencies that provide information about funding for housing
Contact these organisations to discuss funding if you require housing modifications because of a non-accident related disability:

If you live in Auckland or Northland, please contact:
accessable
Postal address: PO Box 27 804, Mount Roskill, Auckland
Email accessable
CallFree: 0508 001 002

If you live anywhere south of Auckland, please contact:
Enable New Zealand
Postal address: PO Box 4547, Palmerston North
Email Enable Processing
CallFree: 0800 17 1995

If your disability is the result of an accident then you will need to contact ACC or your ACC case manager to discuss your requirements.

Housing New Zealand
Offer a service called Suitable Homes which is a free service to help people with physical disabilities into a modified home suitable for their requirements.


Articles of interest in relation to Housing, Building and Design

Age Concern
Submission on the Retirement Villages Bill 2001

New Zealand Fire Service Building Safety
People over 65 are twice as likely as the rest of the population to die in a housefire. This article offers ideas to help the elderly and people with disabilities to be safe from fire in their home.


Universal Design

The Center for Universal Design.
The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

Universal Instructional Design.
An introduction to Universal Instructional Design.



Overseas Information

Adaptable Housing.
This website has links to interesting information about adaptable housing.

NBSAccess
NBS Access is an authoritative built environment accessibility resource containing good practice documents, case study library, news, events, FAQs and extensive links.



Can’t find what you’re looking for? Try talking to our online assistant or contact Enable New Zealand or New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres.

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