Dangerous, Affected & Insanitary Buildings

In this section

Selwyn District Council is committed to making sure buildings in the district are safe, sanitary, and structurally sound.

Our policy explains how we identify, assess, and respond to buildings that could be unsafe for people living, working in, or passing by them.

Dangerous building	A building likely to injure someone or cause death, or cause major damage, especially if there is a fire or a structural failure.
Affected building	A building next to or near a dangerous building or dam that could be affected by its condition.
Insanitary building	A building where its condition is unhealthy or unpleasant due to poor construction, disrepair, lack of safe drinking water, or does not have property sanitary facilities.

Council works with agencies to support building owners, including extended timeframes, and health services.

If you suspect a building is unsafe:

You can use this checklist below to identify and report concerns.

Do any of the following apply?

☐ Visible structural damage (e.g. cracks, leaning walls, sagging roof)

☐ Signs of fire damage or risk (e.g. exposed wiring, flammable materials)

☐ Unusual smells or dampness indicating insanitary conditions

☐ No access to clean drinking water

☐ No working toilets or sanitation

☐ Building appears abandoned or neglected

☐ People living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions

☐ Building is adjacent to a known dangerous structure

☐ Entry is restricted or signage warns of danger

If you answered yes to any boxes:

Contact Selwyn District Council immediately via building.compliance@selwyn.govt.nz.
Please provide key information including:
- Building address.
- What your concerns are.
- Why you feel the building may be potentially dangerous, affected, or insanitary.
- Your contact details.

Your report will help us keep our community safe.