Aromatawai hangatanga hohoro Rapid building assessments

If a natural disaster causes damage, we have a statutory and community obligation to carry out rapid building assessments under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and Building Act 2004.

A rapid building assessment is a central government process that we carry out immediately after a natural disaster or extreme weather event to ensure that a building is safe to use.

We carry out rapid building assessments to determine whether:

• a building is safe to occupy
• a building poses a potential safety risk to people and other property
• land instability poses a potential risk.

Following a rapid building assessment, a property will receive either a white, yellow, or red placard.

Placards are a legal instruction and they must be placed on the building. If it is not safe to stick it to the building, it can be displayed where it is safe.

Only authorised officials can place, change, remove or advise on removing the placards.

White placards are an exception as they expire 21 days after they are issued. You can remove them after they expire.

See Placards issued to properties after a natural disaster to learn about placards and what different coloured stickers mean for your property.

Once we issue a placard, you will need to arrange a more detailed assessment of the home or building. See Actions you need to take after we issue a placard for more information on next steps.

If your property is given a yellow or red placard, you will be assigned a rapid building assessment (placards) case manager.

Your case manager can help you with information about:

• the government’s rapid building assessment and placarding process
• the steps towards repairing damage to a property
• whether you need a building or resource consent
• legislative requirements in relation to the Building Act 2004 and Resource Management Act 1991.

Your case manager can also check on enquiries you have already made.

Email rbacomms@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you have a yellow or red placarded property and have not been contacted by your case manager.