Justice Woodhouse in the high Court in Auckland awarded Paul and Wilna White of Whangaparaoa $346,002 in a precedent setting leaky homes decision.
Justice Woodhouse overturned the Weathertight Homes Tribunal decision, made earlier this year, to pay them $173,801 and criticised the Tribunal for it’s conclusions in the case.
In the eight year battle leading up to the decision, the couple appealed to the High Court for more compensation from the former house owner Lorelle Joy Kerkin and Rodney District Council.
Mr Kilgour of the Tribunal had stated that the Whites knew their house was a potential leaky building when they bought it, or soon after, and had failed to take prompt action.
Justice Woodhouse said Mr Kilgour was wrong about that.
“Both conclusions, in my judgment, were not supported by the evidence,” he said.
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