Fewer checks on houses

Press, 15 March 1980, Page 3

Fewer checks on houses

PA Wellington The Minister of Housing, Mr Quigley, thinks the monthly inspection of new houses built with Housing Corporation'loan finance is unnecessary and wasteful. He has done something about it: From April there will be only two inspections arid three payments. “Some houses have been inspected more than 10 times so that progress payments can be made to builders,” said Mr Quigley. In future there would be a first payment on request of up to 90 per cent of the value of the section when the freehold title was available, he said. The first inspection by the corporation and the second payment would be made

when the house was ready for internal linings to be fixed.

The second inspection and third and final payment would be made when no more than $2OOO was needed to complete the house. This payment would be withheld only if the inspection showed there was insufficient security for the loan. The corporation - would discontinue checks for moisture. Local authorities were already required to inspect foundations, plumbing, and electrical work and it was not necessary for corporation inspectors to duplicate this work.

The new procedures would not apply to owner-builders or to rental houses built under contract for the corporation.