Apply for a Certificate of Acceptance

A Territorial Authority may, on application, issue a Certificate of Acceptance (COA) for building work already done, in certain circumstances. A COA may be required when:

  • The owner, or the owner's predecessor in title, carried out building work for which a building consent was required, but a building consent was not obtained; 
  • A building consent could not practicably be obtained in advance because the building work had to be carried out urgently; 
  • The building consent authority that granted the building consent is unable or refuses to issue a code compliance certificate in relation to the building work, and no other building consent authority will agree to issue a code compliance certificate for the building work. 

When you apply for your Certificate of Acceptance you may be required to supply supporting documentation such as energy work certificates, producer statements or installer declarations before the certificate can be issued.

Apply online

Step 1.Register on the Simpli portal

You'll need a valid email address and a password to register to use the portal. Please visit www.simpli.govt.nz to register. Once you've registered, you can apply for building consents on www.simpli.govt.nz

Step 2.Ensure your application form is correct and complete

The application form has a number of parts and it's important that all sections are completed. You'll also be required to upload the documentation relevant to your project. Applications will not be accepted if any of the information is missing.

Supporting documents include plans and specifications and certificate from personnel who carried out the building work.

Step 3.Make a payment

You'll be required to pay a fee when you submit your application and you'll receive an invoice for the remainder of the costs once a decision has been made on your application. Costs are charged at an hourly rate for the time it takes to assess your application, any inspections carried out in addition to any levies and charges that apply to building consent applications.

Please include confirmation of your payment when submitting your electronic application so we can put the two things together and get the process rolling. For full information on how to make payments please view our Paying Us page.

Apply by mail

Step 1.Download the application form

Visit www.simpli.govt.nz to download the Certificate of Acceptance (Form 8).

Step 2.Ensure your application form is correct and complete

All parts of Form 8 (Certificate of Acceptance application) are to be completed and submitted along with one (1) copy of supporting documents. Supporting documents include plans and specifications and certificate from personnel who carried out the building work.

Step 3.Post your application

If you're submitting your application form by mail, all parts of Form 8 (COA) are to be completed and submitted along with one (1) copy of supporting documents.

Application forms and supporting documentation should be posted to Horowhenua District Council, Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540.

Step 4.Make a payment

You'll be required to pay a fee when you submit your application and you'll receive an invoice for the remainder of the costs once a decision has been made on your application. Costs are charged at an hourly rate for the time it takes to assess your application, any inspections carried out in addition to any levies and charges that apply to building consent applications.

Please include confirmation of your payment when submitting your electronic application so we can put the two things together and get the process rolling. For full information on how to make payments please view our Paying Us page.

Apply in person

Step 1.Download the application form

Visit www.simpli.govt.nz to download the Certificate of Acceptance (Form 8).

Step 2.Ensure your application form is correct and complete

All parts of Form 8 (Certificate of Acceptance application) are to be completed and submitted along with one (1) copy of supporting documents. Supporting documents include plans and specifications and certificate from personnel who carried out the building work.

If you're submitting your application in hard copy using the printable version, please submit this along with one (1) copy of all required plans and supporting documents, and the associated fee or confirmation of electronic payment, to Horowhenua District Council's Main Office in Levin or service centres in Foxton or Shannon.

Step 3.Make a payment

Please include confirmation of your payment when submitting your electronic application so we can put the two things together and get the process rolling. For full information on how to make payments please view our Paying Us page. When applying in person you can still electronically pay the fees associated with your application by using internet banking.

 

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