Compliance Schedules & Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF)

The information below is designed to help you understand your responsibilities under the Building Act 2004. It is particularly important if you are the owner of a commercial, industrial or communal building.

The Building Act 2004 also outlines what Council does to enforce provisions (laws) to protect public health and safety.

Council's principle aim is to educate/monitor and work with owners/managers to ensure aims of the Building Act 2004 are maintained before enforcing penalties.

What Is a Compliance Schedule?

A Compliance Schedule is an inventory of a building’s specified systems issued by the Council.

The Compliance Schedule specifies:

  1. Inspection, testing and maintenance procedures; and
  2. the frequency of inspections and who should perform those inspections.

What Is a Building Warrant of Fitness?

A BWOF verifies the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures for all the specified systems within a building have been carried out in accordance with the Compliance Schedule for the previous 12 months.

It is the owner’s responsibility and a requirement by law to have the BWOF completed annually. The owner must then display a copy of the BWOF in a place in the building where it can be seen and the public have access.

Form 12: Building warrant of fitness | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

What Is an IQP?

Independent qualified persons (IQP) are system specialists.

An IQP is a person registered by the Council to inspect certain specified systems and ensure they meet performance standards. ‘Independent’ means the person has no financial interest in the building they are auditing.

The IQP register is now being maintained by Palmerston North City Council, you can search the register using the following link:

IQP register | Palmerston North City Council

You cannot issue a BWOF without getting the annual IQP checks completed and a certificate (known as a Form 12A) signed off.

Form 12A: Certificate of compliance | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

An IQP firm or Compliance Company can act as your agent to help out with the paperwork. They will co-ordinate all the specialist IQPs, collect the paper work and issue the BWOF, as well as deal with Council for you.

What Are My Responsibilities as a Building Owner?

You must:

  • Engage IQPs registered with Tararua District Council.
  • Make sure any owner inspections are done by tenants, staff or yourself. Specialist inspections must be done by an IQP.
  • If your building is vacant, all inspections as per the Compliance Schedule are still required.
  • Keep the Compliance Schedule and all records in the place assigned by Council.
  • Keep all records for at least two years.
  • For a new Compliance Schedule e.g. new building. Every year after that you must:
    • Issue a BWOF
    • Display a copy of the BWOF

Please send BWOF and IQP Certificates to Council either by emailing a copy to Council or sending a hardcopy to:

Tararua District Council
PO Box 115
Dannevirke 4942

Council Audits

Building owners should be aware Council may undertake random audits of a building for which a Compliance Schedule has been issued, and the specified systems in the building under Section 111 of the Building Act 2004, and may charge a fee for an inspection under this section.

Amending a Compliance Schedule

Installation, alteration or removal of a specified system requires a Building Consent, if the system is existing please talk to a Council Building Officer.

Penalties

The Building Act 2004 contains a number of provisions to protect public health and safety that are important for building owners and managers. There are a range of penalties for failing to comply with these provisions.

If you require further information regarding Compliance Schedules and/or Building Warrant of Fitness, please feel free to contact us on 06 374 4080 (North) or 06 376 0110 (South), or you can send us an email.