Apartment owners in Wellington are speaking out on the huge increases in estimated earthquake repair costs. Up to 1000 apartment owners are facing mounting costs to strengthen their homes. One owner, Mel Johnston, has seen their estimate costs rise from $30,000 to $240,000 in the past eight years. Others have shared stories of deadlines to strengthen suddenly halving, putting them in impossible financial situations.
A request has been put out for an urgent independent review of earthquake strengthening rules. Through a survey by Inner City Wellington, owners have also suggested that the government could share half the costs and half the risks of strengthening these apartments, given they impact public safety.
