Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Aug 08, 2022 3:59 pm Hi - I had a low (600mm) retaining wall built along the boundary line of my property end of 2019. (I was developing my side the high side) I applied to shire for a building permit for the wall, so permit issued in my name. I paid/had a contractor build the wall. I sold the property about a year ago. The wall is now showing signs of stress ie. it has some cracks slight lean. The neighbour (on the low side) complained to the shire and the local shire issued me a letter to repair the wall within 21 days or face a fine. My question is am I liable to repair the wall as - a) I dont now own any of the property related to this. b) I didnt build the wall a contractor did (but yes permit in my name to get approval for it) c) it was built nearly 3 years ago so how long does the warranty last on a wall anyway so to speak ? Thanks ! Grant Re: Am I liable for retaining wall repair ..? 2Aug 08, 2022 4:06 pm Inform the shire you are no longer the owner of the property and provide relevant details for the new owner. You should not be liable for this at all. Assuming your sale was registered and conducted properly they should have no problem accessing the requisite land titles information to confirm you are no longer the owner. Re: Am I liable for retaining wall repair ..? 3Aug 08, 2022 7:40 pm I think you are liable there should be a 6yr structural warranty. If you applied for the permit and were the developer it is up to you to chase the subbie. Put yourself in the position of the new owner or neighbour, you should be fixing it if you didn’t build it properly. I don’t know what “stress” is but a 3 yo wall should look brand new irrespective of what it is built from. A retaining wall should be built for a 60yr design life. https://staconsulting.com.au/retaining- ... ign-guide/ Re: Am I liable for retaining wall repair ..? 4Aug 09, 2022 12:25 pm Pulse I think you are liable there should be a 6yr structural warranty. If you applied for the permit and were the developer it is up to you to chase the subbie. Put yourself in the position of the new owner or neighbour, you should be fixing it if you didn’t build it properly. I don’t know what “stress” is but a 3 yo wall should look brand new irrespective of what it is built from. A retaining wall should be built for a 60yr design life. https://staconsulting.com.au/retaining- ... ign-guide/ Thankyou for your input and the pdf link. Hmm had no idea at the time applying for the approval would make me liable for the contractors work - should have got the contractor to submit this, learn these things in hindsight ! After wall was completed council required a engineer certification which I did get and supply for the wall. (it basically stated everything was built to standard). Would that change anything re liability ? Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 6201 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi All, Hoping someone might be be to provide some advice on my ceiling that needs repair. Photos attached, but seems like the alcove (??) is pulling away. Thanks Thomas 0 6726 |