Ratepayers to get slammed again.

Bad, bad, bad! ?

Ratepayers set to carry leaky homes burden
Tuesday January 23, 2007
By Anne Gibson ?

Councils are angry at being hit for the full cost of the leaky building crisis, saying they should be taking only a small portion of the blame.

And they are warning of big rate hikes to cover the bill, particularly following a $250,900 High Court ruling against the Waitakere City Council.

A leaky building specialist also says councils are doing their best to limit costs by settling most cases outside court.

Philip O'Sullivan, of leaky building consultants Prendos, said the crisis had left councils battered and bruised.

More here .