Lodging Complaints

Building Overview

Complaints relating to buildings and building work

If you have a complaint relating to existing buildings or building work, please see below to submit your complaint. Please note - All complaints will be assessed and prioritised according to the nature of the complaint and on a case by case basis. These complaints will be recorded within the complaints register allowing the process to be managed through to its completion.

NOTE: Please be aware that all or part of information collected relating to a complaint is subject to the Building Act 2004 and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.


Complaints relating to existing Buildings

There will be times when you may feel you wish to advise the council of an issue relating to an existing building. However the council’s building unit has a limited scope of responsibility when it comes to managing these types of issues.

There are certain circumstances within the Building Act 2004 that allows us to act and manage this process.

Theses include:

  • Dangerous Buildings.
  • Affected Buildings.
  • Insanitary Buildings.
  • Earthquake-prone Buildings

If you believe that your complaint relates to any of the above items, you may contact the Timaru District Council in writing, outlining your concerns and include your full contact details. We will endeavor to respond to the initial complaint within the following time frames:

  • Emergency complaints 2hours
  • Urgent complaints 24 hours
  • Routine complaints 48 hours

All complaints will be assessed and prioritised according to the nature of the complaint and on a case by case basis. These complaints will be recorded within the complaints register allowing the process to be managed through to its completion.

All building complaint application must be sent to this address buildingcompliance@timdc.govt.nz

Complaints relating to Building Work

These types of complaints directly relate to building work that is subject to a current building consent, in other words buildings under construction and or buildings or building work that have not yet received their code compliance certificate (CCC).

Issues or complaints relating to this work can be varied, ranging from surface water affecting neighbors or neighboring properties, to incomplete construction that may pose a risk to other people or property.

Whatever your perceived complaint, the key component is the existence of a current building consent for the Building Control Authority (BCA) to take action and resolve the issues raised.

If you believe that your complaint relates to any of the above, you may contact the Timaru District Council in writing, outlining your concerns and include your full contact details. We will endeavor to respond to your initial complaint within the following time frames:

  • Emergency complaints 2 hours
  • Urgent complaints 24 hours
  • Routine complaints 48 hours

All complaints will be assessed and prioritised according to the nature of the complaint and on a case by case basis. These complaints will be recorded within the complaints register allowing the process to be managed through to its completion.

All building complaint applications must be sent to this address buildingcompliance@timdc.govt.nz