Buying guide
Should I buy a monolithic cladding house? Understanding NZ leaky homes
Properties with plaster or monolithic cladding can be risky purchases, but they're not all leaky.
AI summary
Buying a home with monolithic cladding carries risks due to NZ's leaky homes crisis, but not all are leaky. Issues from 1987-2005 were caused by poor building practices that trapped water, leading to rot.
Watch for warning signs like mould, sagging ceilings, or swollen materials. Repairs can exceed $330,000, and securing finance or insurance is often difficult. Before purchasing, a specialised building inspection focusing on moisture is essential to assess the risk.
What exactly is a leaky home?
What caused the NZ leaky homes crisis?
Monolithic cladding — the main culprit?
Not all plaster homes leak, but they may be at a higher risk.
How can I spot a leaky home?
If you keep your eyes open during a property inspection you may be able to spot signs that a home is leaky.
Not all plaster homes are leaky but they should be approached with caution.
The cost of fixing a leaky home
Should I buy a monolithic cladding house?
FAQs — Navigating leaky homes in NZ
Author
Discover More
House that won last-ever Block NZ auction up for sale
Chloe Hes and Ben Speedy won The Block: Redemption for the completion of a townhouse in Ringi Lane, Orewa.
Will Labour cancel ‘tax breaks for landlords’? Here’s what it could mean for rents and house prices
What Labour would do with tax on rental properties is one of the big unanswered questions of the election.
Search
Other articles you might like
