Property owners who were severely affected by last year’s storms in Auckland have until 30 September 2024 to register for the property categorisation.
The programme supports owners of properties where there is an ‘intolerable risk to life’ from future storms, by providing eligible homeowners with a one-time offer of financial support to help make their home safe or move away from a serious landslide or flood risk (via a voluntary buy-out).
So far 40 per cent of the approximately 7000 properties impacted across the region have signed up.
Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office’s Group Recovery Manager, Mace Ward, says the programme is voluntary but he is concerned that some of the most at-risk homeowners could miss out.
“Living in flood and landslide risk areas will get more challenging, even with improved stormwater maintenance and major infrastructure projects. Support under the categorisation programme might be the best option for people to either make their home safe or move out of harm’s way,” Mr Ward says.
“We are making a special effort to reach homeowners we think could be high risk, but we haven’t heard back from many of them. Some of these are located in between neighbours already assessed as high risk and being bought out,” says Mr Ward.
“In particular, people that had over half a metre of flooding in their home, received a red or yellow placard, or were affected by a slip, should be considering their options. These could be signs of a serious risk to life in future storms.”
Homeowners in these situations are strongly encouraged to investigate their options to make an informed decision about registering as soon as possible ahead of the 30 September registration deadline.
Ongoing risk
Mr Ward says some homeowners worry that receiving a category will affect their property valuation or insurance costs.
“Regardless of our categorisation activities, insurers, tenants, banks and potential buyers will make their own decisions about how risky a home is. And information about a property’s risk is already publicly available on LIMs, public hazard maps and in previous insurance claims,” Mr Ward explains.
“Where there is a serious risk to life, the categorisation programme offers these homeowners a reasonable solution.”
Homeowners are encouraged to register for an assessment today if they:
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received a red or yellow ‘sticker’ (Rapid Building Assessment placard); or
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experienced above floor/significant flooding (0.5 metres for example); or
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were affected by a landslide because of these extreme weather events.
The council expects to buy-out around 900 homes across Auckland at a 26 January 2023 market value (the day before the Auckland Anniversary floods). Find out more and register on OurAuckland.
