Auckland Regional Council media release

ARC applauds progress of Unit Titles Act review
15 November 2004

The Auckland Regional Council is impressed with the progress made over the past year on the Government's review of the Unit Titles Act, and the release today of a discussion document.

The review, which began late last year after considerable lobbying by the Regional Growth Forum and the ARC, will look at how the Act can be updated to reflect the widespread popularity of unit titled property.

The release of a discussion document, Review of the Unit Titles Act 1972, by the Department of Building and Housing, is the first milestone in the review, which once completed will hopefully result in new legislation that provides workable and practical solutions to many of the problems that are unique to unit titled properties.

ARC Chairman Michael Lee says that the ARC is delighted that the Government has progressed with the review of the outdated legislation and says that the release of the discussion document sends a clear signal that the Government is serious about ensuring quality management and ongoing maintenance of unit titled property.

"Urban growth and development are priority issues for the Auckland region, and is it important that we have good quality housing choices, and that those who live in apartments and units have legislation that ensures their homes are managed and maintained properly. "Good quality housing choices, including units and apartments, are essential if the Auckland region is to grow in a sustainable way. Ad hoc and shoddy development just isn't acceptable and we have to work towards providing a quality urban environment that people enjoy living in," Mr Lee says.

Mr Lee says that revised legislation will help recognise that multi-unit development has been embraced in parts of the region and that high quality development and well managed and maintained properties will continue to be in demand.

"Hopefully we will also see greater transparency in body corporate fees and management and maintenance costs, which are a real concern to owners."

Ensuring quality development, including urban design, is important to the ARC, who recently signalled its overall support for the draft urban design protocol, initiated by the Ministry for the Environment. The ARC has also produced a number of guides on body corporate management and apartments for prospective buyers.

"The ARC has a real commitment to improving the quality of life of the people in the Auckland region" says Mr Lee.

The ARC and the Regional Growth Forum will continue to work together, and with Government as the review of the Act continues.

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