The coalition Government is moving to make it easier for Kiwis to build ‘granny flats’ on their property.
“Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best,” Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says.
“Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing.
“High housing costs have a greater impact on Maori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors, so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living.”
Peters says granny flats are a great option for seniors.
They’re also increasingly popular with other families such as those who want homes where their university-age children can live at home but maintain some privacy and independence, or families who want to provide extra support to a loved one, he says.
“The National-NZ First coalition agreement commits the Government to amending the Building Act and the resource consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60m2 and this announcement is the first step to deliver that.”
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the plan fits within the Government’s wider package of work to streamline the building consent system and address the housing crisis through its ‘Going for Housing Growth’ agenda.
“The Government is publishing a discussion document today with proposed changes to the Building Act and the resource management system so we can get the details right.
“Our proposed legislative amendments include co-ordinated changes across the building and resource management systems.
“Many district plans already allow granny flats without resource consent, but there’s a lack of consistency and different standards across the country.
“We’re proposing a National Environmental Standard (NES) to require all councils to permit a granny flat on sites in rural and residential zones without resource consent.
“An NES means changes can come into force quickly.
“The discussion document proposes a new schedule is added to the Building Act 2004 to provide for simple standalone houses up to 60m2 in size.”
Bishop says there will be safeguards to ensure granny flats continue to meet New Zealanders’ expectations for building performance and quality, and appropriately manage environmental effects.
“We want these to be safe, healthy and durable homes.
“We want to hear from everyone who has constructive suggestions that will help us ensure we get the policy right.”
Final policy decisions will be made later this year, with the legislative changes expected to be in place from mid-2025.
The consultation opens on June 17 and submissions can be received until 5pm on August 12.
The public can provide feedback online or by emailing grannyflats@mbie.govt.nz.
