Operation Magazine - Report into boarding house fire safety and landlord compliance
Last updated: 27 March 2024
Following the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, similar properties were inspected throughout New Zealand to identify and address any immediate fire safety concerns. The inspections will also be used to inform any future work to strengthen fire safety requirements in boarding houses.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are seeking feedback on fire safety requirements in the Building Code to offer better protection from fire for people and property.
The way we build is changing. Since the last update of the Building Code fire safety regulations in 2012 building uses, technology, building materials and construction methods have moved on rapidly. These changes are adding new complexities to fire safety in our homes and buildings, and to firefighting.
In its review, MBIE wants to:
- address issues regarding fire provisions in the Building Code
- see how they can make it easier for people to make decisions when considering fire provisions in the Building Code
- maintain or improve the health, safety and fire safety facilities for people who use buildings.
The review's aim is to ensure that fire safety in the Building Code achieves the purpose and principles of the Building Act 2004, which means:
- people who use buildings can do so safely and without endangering their health
- people who use a building can escape from the if it is on fire
- people entering a building for rescue operations or firefighting are protected from injury
- protection is provided to limit the extent and effects of the spread of fire.
Have your say on the Building Code fire safety review
Submissions are open and will close 5.00pm on Friday, 6 December 2024
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) engaged with councils to identify buildings with a similar profile to that of Loafers Lodge. The characteristics identified for inclusion in the operation were that the buildings:
- were a boarding house; and
- had three storeys or more in height; and
- had no sprinkler system.
Analysis of the data provided by councils resulted in a list of 40 buildings across 9 council areas to be inspected. The total of 40 was reduced to 37 buildings following an inspection refusal by three building owners (mainly due to having recently had an inspection by their council).
The buildings were spread across New Zealand. Almost two-thirds of the boarding houses were in three council areas: Auckland Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Wellington City Council. Other council areas with buildings in scope included Nelson, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Whangarei, Invercargill, and Hamilton.
The report
A report on the findings from the 'Operation Magazine - Boarding House Fire Safety and Landlord Compliance' has been published.
Operation Magazine - Report into boarding house fire safety and landlord compliance [PDF 1MB]
Information for territorial authorities
MBIE published a guide to territorial authorities to improve compliance in this area.
Operation Magazine - Information and advice for councils to help improve compliance [PDF 6MB]
Requirements for building owners
Building owners play a key part in ensuring buildings are safe for building occupants. Building owners have strict requirements under the Building Act 2004 which must be adhered to. Where requirements are not met, building owners can face instant infringement fines or may be prosecuted.
Learn more about building owner roles and responsibilities.
Managing your BWoF (for buildings with specified systems)
Inspection and maintenance of specified systems
Building owners operating a boarding house also have landlord responsibilities and requirements they must meet under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and the Healthy Homes Standards Regulations 2019.
Boarding houses - tenancy.govt.nz
Information and resources for boarding house landlords [PDF 1.5MB] - tenancy.govt.nz