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Jessica
Consultant
Chris The Lawyer, Expert
Hi
I am a New Zealand lawyer based in Wellington and will help you with your question today. Please give me a minute to read the question
Chris The Lawyer, Expert
You are best to start with getting an geotechnical engineering report and also check the LIM report from the council to see if that has anything about subsidence concerning your land. So finding the cause is the first task. If it was defective construction, that could possibly be the builder if the house was built fairly recently. That would also enable you to approach your insurer and see if that is covered under your policy.
Another place to check is the EQC-which deals with landslides and similar issues. They may be able to cover if is a landslip.
In your research you may be able to find out if the damage was known to the previous owner or the land agent which could also be somewhere to look for repair costs
That is a start
Chris The Lawyer, Expert
My quick check of the LIM report doesnt throw up anything obvious. But a geotech engineer may be able to find out the cause. I see the house is built some time ago so it is unlikely to be a construction defect. I wonder if the very dry conditions have caused some subsidence?
Chris The Lawyer, Expert