Question 1

What is a Certificate of Acceptance, and when might I need one?

Accepted Answer

A Certificate of Acceptance (COA) can generally be sought for building work that was completed without a required building consent, or in limited circumstances where a Code Compliance Certificate cannot be issued. It confirms the work meets the building code to the extent it can be assessed after the fact — giving you a documented, council-recognised outcome even though the work wasn't consented at the time.

Question 2

What is the difference between a Certificate of Acceptance and a Code Compliance Certificate?

Accepted Answer

A Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) relates to work completed under an issued building consent — it's the final sign-off once all inspections have passed. A Certificate of Acceptance (COA) is generally used where the required consent was never obtained in the first place. CodeCompliance determines which pathway applies to your property and manages it from there.

Question 3

Can I get a Certificate of Acceptance for any unconsented building work?

Accepted Answer

Not always. A COA generally cannot be issued for work carried out before 1 July 1992, or where a building consent had already been issued for the same work, except in limited circumstances. We assess your specific situation upfront and advise honestly on whether a COA is available before any work begins.

Question 4

What does the Certificate of Acceptance process involve?

Accepted Answer

It typically starts with an assessment of the existing work and any available records or plans, followed by specialist reports where needed, council-required inspections, any remedial building work to bring things up to standard, and finally the formal council application. CodeCompliance manages every one of these steps for you, start to finish.

Question 5

How do I know if work on my property was unconsented?

Accepted Answer

Common signs include renovations that don't appear on the council property file, work completed by a previous owner with no paperwork provided, or a LIM report that doesn't match what's actually built. We can check the property file and inspect the work to confirm.

Question 6

Is unconsented work illegal?

Accepted Answer

Carrying out building work that required consent without obtaining one is a breach of the Building Act, though the resolution is usually administrative and practical rather than punitive — most cases are resolved through a Certificate of Acceptance or bringing an existing consent to completion.

Question 7

What if the building work needs to be repaired or brought up to standard?

Accepted Answer

All building work must comply with the Building Code, including work that didn't originally require consent — so remedial work is often part of the process, not a sign something has gone wrong. CodeCompliance maintains a network of licensed building practitioners and specialist trades, and we engage, brief, and manage them directly. You're never left to find a builder or organise inspections and reports yourself.

Question 8

I'm selling my house and just found out there's no CCC — what now?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most time-sensitive situations we deal with. We assess the property file immediately, identify the fastest realistic pathway to resolution, and manage the process while you continue with your sale timeline as best as possible.

Question 9

Can I still sell my house if there's no CCC?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though it typically needs to be disclosed and may affect buyer financing or conditions of sale. Many sellers choose to resolve the compliance issue before or during the sale process to avoid complications — we can advise on the best approach for your situation.

Question 10

Should I tell my real estate agent about the issue?

Accepted Answer

Compliance issues generally need to be disclosed as part of a property sale. We're happy to work alongside your agent or lawyer to provide clear, accurate information about the status of the compliance process.

Question 11

Can you manage the council application and inspections for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is central to what we do. CodeCompliance acts as your agent with Auckland Council for the entire process: we prepare every submission, arrange and attend inspections, respond to every request for information, and follow up at every stage. You don't need to understand or coordinate any of it yourself.

Question 12

Can you help if I have received a Notice to Fix?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A Notice to Fix is a statutory notice requiring a breach of the Building Act or its regulations to be remedied, and the response is time-sensitive. CodeCompliance takes over entirely — we review the notice, determine what work and documentation is required, engage the necessary trades, and manage all correspondence with council until the matter is resolved.

Question 13

What happens if I don't respond to a Notice to Fix?

Accepted Answer

A Notice to Fix is a legal requirement with a set compliance date, and failing to act can lead to further enforcement action from council. We recommend engaging with it as soon as possible — we can take over the response process for you.

Question 14

How long does a COA or CCC application take?

Accepted Answer

Timeframes depend on the scope of work, the documentation available, any remedial work required, and Auckland Council's current processing times. We can only give you an honest estimate once we've assessed your specific property — we don't offer generic timeframes upfront.

Question 15

Where do I start if I think I have a compliance issue?

Accepted Answer

The best first step is a conversation with us. We can usually tell from a brief assessment whether the work is likely to need a COA, a CCC completion, or another pathway — and give you a clear picture of what's likely to be involved before you commit to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding COA and CCC

Unconsented Building Work

Selling a Property

Working With Council

Timeframes and Next Steps

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