Only days left to join last-chance Cladding Class Action

Only days left to join last-chance Cladding Class Action

With only days left to opt-in, leaky homeowners are being invited to join a class action against cladding manufacturer, James Hardie in relation to its cladding products Harditex and Titan Board.

The opt-in period closes on 30 January 2018. That will be the last chance to join the cladding claim.

Dan Parker of Parker & Associates, acting for the owner group, said: “We want people to know that this claim will be the last chance to seek redress.

“New claimants continue to come forward from all over the country. Many have often only just heard about the Cladding Class Action and haven’t realised the 10 year Building Act limitation longstop and the general 15 year limitation longstop do not apply to this claim.

“It shows how wide-spread the issue is and the challenges in informing those potentially affected.

“A number of owners have approached us unaware of any weather-tightness issues with their properties. After experts have investigated and found problems those owners have joined the claim.

“The group’s numbers are growing each day. We are dealing with over 300 active enquiries. So far around 85 people have joined and we expect the final tally will increase before the deadline on 30 January 2018.

“As it is a self-funded action, the bigger the group is, the lower the costs per participant,” Mr Parker said.

There were thousands of buildings constructed between 1987 and 2004 using Harditex. Titan board was used from 1995. The claimants allege that their homes have inherent defects, which cause weather-tightness damage. James Hardie denies the allegations.

The group first brought the product liability claim against James Hardie New Zealand Limited and James Hardie Company Studorp Limited in negligence and for breach in the Fair Trading Act in October 2015.

For further information contact Parker & Associates, 04 499 0390, www.parkerandassociates.co.nz.

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