Second-hand Buildings and Materials

Using second-hand materials

If second-hand materials are going to be used in a building project requiring a building consent, an application form for an inspection of the items must be completed and included with the building consent application. You need to fill out an application form and pay the fee, then a Council inspector will come out and inspect the items.

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Inspection of Second-Hand Building or Materials (Size 36K)

If the second-hand materials are located outside the Waitakere City boundary, a report and photographs, from either a building consultant or the Council controlling the area where the materials are located, is required. The report and photographs must be submitted with the building consent application.

Using a second-hand heater

If a second-hand heating appliance is to be used it must be inspected by a Registered Fire Installer. The Registered Fire Installer is required to prepare a report to be submitted with the consent application.

Relocating a dwelling or building

No building shall be brought into, or relocated within the city until it has first been inspected. If the buildings are located outside the Waitakere City boundary a report and photographs, from either a building consultant or the Council controlling the area where the materials are located, is required. The report and photographs must be submitted with the building consent application.

The following conditions are applicable to any application for the relocation of second-hand dwellings in the city:

• All decayed timbers and other building materials and fittings, which in the opinion of the inspecting officer are considered unsound, shall be removed and replaced with new sound material. 
• Subfloor construction shall be upgraded to comply with the NZ Building Code. 
• The existing roof, including guttering and downpipes shall be checked and cleaned and as necessary replaced with new materials to ensure complete watertightness. 
• The complete subfloor of the building shall be flood spray treated with borer control chemicals to a standard recommended by a borer treatment company and a certificate issued, acceptable to the Council. 
• The exterior of the dwelling shall be renovated, where necessary, to the Council's satisfaction within six (6) months of relocation. 
• A building consent shall be taken out for the re-erection of the building.
• All works shall be completed within one year of the issue of the building consent unless otherwise specified. 
• All relocated buildings require resource consent, which may list further conditions which must be met. The application will be subject to a bond to ensure compliance with the conditions of the Resource Consent. Unless forfeited the bond shall be discharged on completion of all works to the satisfaction of the Council.

Relocating a pre-fab school building

Where pre-fab school classrooms are being moved from one school to another, a second-hand report is not required.

It is, however, necessary to obtain an Outline Plan of Works. This application should have a set of photos of the classroom that is proposed to be relocated so that we can check the visual appearance of the building.

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Application for Outline Plan of Works (Size 58K)

Cost of inspection

No inspection will be made of any second-hand materials or buildings until the fees are paid.

Refer to the Regulatory Fees & Charges Schedule.

How do I book an inspection?

No inspection will be made of any second-hand materials or buildings until the fees are paid.  You need to fill in a second-hand inspection application form and pay the fee applicable. The second-hand inspection application form can be printed off.

Inspection of Second-Hand Building or Materials

The Data Management Section of Council will book inspection when the following requirements have been met:

• keys or access has been made available to the Surveyor
• adequate access to the sub floor area has been provided
• adequate access to roof spacing including ladder and the removal of a portion of the roof cladding has been provided if necessary 
• exposure of the bottom plate and lower ends of studs in three positions around the building.

The inspecting officer may require exposure of further timbers or the submission of further details for any application.