That all houses be bomb shelters and also be made of gold

It really isn't all that puzzling why Councils run such pedantic building consenting rules if they're on the hook for all the downside costs if anybody doesn't bother getting a building inspection report later on.

Here's the NBR's Victoria Young:

Auckland Council says it has reservations over a High Court decision which means it has to pay $25 million to leaky building owners.

Claims manager Sally Grey says the decision is “complex and lengthy” and the council will take time to consider an appeal.

Justice Murray Gilbert ruled substantially in favour of apartment owners in the Nautilus apartment building case.

The lawyer who took the suit, Tim Rainey, says Auckland Council will be left with the bill as other defendants in the case have been relieved of liability or are unable to pay.

Read the whole thing. Fixing liability here and legislating around the Supreme Court ruling on leaky buildings might be important.