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In 2022 amendments were made to the Building Code. Many of these changes were in regard to 'Liveable Provisions'. The basis of Liveable Provisions was to ensure owners could live in their homes for a longer period of time, without moving into nursing homes.
The changes included many details including:
falls throughout the entire bathrooms and laundries to a waste;
at least 1 toilet must have a large clear area around it;
wider hallways and doorways;
step-free access;
framing provisions for future grab rails in bathrooms;
... and many more.
There were also changes to Australian Standards in regard to waterproofing, and other areas.
However, it seems very few builders and trades have read the updates. Already, slabs are being laid without the required falls. Bathrooms are too small and do not allow the required access. Doorways are not wide enough... And because many certifiers rely on builders to send them photos, without actually inspecting the homes, these mistakes are not being noted and rectified.
So what happens with these defective works? Will insurance cover any related damages? Could the re-sale of the home be affect? Could Occupancy Certificates be denied at the end of the job?
We could be about to see a perfect storm of building issues flood the industry. For anyone looking to build a new home, it pays to read the NCC 2022, Vol 2, Section H and the Housing Provisions, and check that the plans are compliant:
