First steps taken to improve consent process

Initial findings paint picture of customer expectation and experience, as part of system review

MBIE established the National Building Consent System (NBCS) programme last year to improve the consenting process. The NBCS has been working to a build a picture of the current system and this month released its initial findings, which provide a snapshot of the public’s interactions with the consent process. Findings include:

• Less than one in five property owners apply for their own consents, with the majority using their builders or architects.
• Customers expect a residential consent to be turned around in 11 days, amendments within four and code compliance certificates within five.
• Large, complex consents are required by regulation to be completed in 20 days – customers expect this process to take 40-60 days.
• Customers prefer online services, particularly the ability to apply for consents online.

The full report is expected to be released later this year.

Authorities under review

To help further improve the building consent process, the NBCS team announced it is planning to visit
13 territorial authorities (TA) across the country. The team will review and help TAs improve how they amend compliance schedules, enforce building warrants of fitness and inspect installed passive fire systems.