CoA for Unathorised fireplace

[Kolyan]

We have a house for rent which has unauthorized post 1992 fireplace.
My understanding is if the place goes up in flames due to the fireplace – the insurance will not cover. Its ok if the property is owner occupied but tenants are not to be trusted.

How much do you reckon it would cost to get a Certificate of Acceptance done through Auckland City Council?

[Davo36]

You want to pollute the air with your filthy stinking fireplace?

And you want council to approve of this?

Shame, shame on you.

Now, seriously, it will cost around $400 to $500 I think. We put one in recently. You now need a building consent to do this. So you need plans of your house showing where the fireplace is, where each of the bedrooms are and state where the smoke detectors are. You need smoke detectors in all relevant places, on every level of your house or they will not do it. You may have to sign a form to this effect.

You then probably need to have a suitable model fireplace. If it's old and lets out too many particulates, not sure what they will do...

I'd suggest ringing them for a chat, but they usually won't talk to you unless you give an address these days. So could be risky...

[bobwu]

you need to get the building plan done and apply for COA.
1,Council's deposit for COA is $675.
2, building plan $800-1000(we can help to do it)
3, you may need to change the stove to suit Council's requirements. that will cost more

[Glizzle]

I had a legit fireplace, Yet i still pulled it out and replaced with a heat pump.

[skid]

Wouldnt it be far easier to simply board up the fireplace,tell them it doesnt work ,and use a heater?

[Kolyan]

Wouldnt it be far easier to simply board up the fireplace,tell them it doesnt work ,and use a heater?

It can’t be boarded up unfortunately as it’s not a proper fireplace build into the wall but one of those metal stoves.
From what the folks above say It appears that taking the damn thing out is a sensible thing to do. Certainly cheaper option in the short term and in a long run having unauthorised fireplace is not gonna get much to the capital gain when it comes to selling.

[Glizzle]

Floor space for motion controlled games is paramount!!

[skid]

And once your above the hole in the ceiling ,theres no real need to take out the rest of the chimney,[hole in the roof]if you want it to be as simple as possible.

[Davo36]

It can’t be boarded up unfortunately as it’s not a proper fireplace build into the wall but one of those metal stoves.
From what the folks above say It appears that taking the damn thing out is a sensible thing to do. Certainly cheaper option in the short term and in a long run having unauthorised fireplace is not gonna get much to the capital gain when it comes to selling.

Well it is worth money mate. They are very expensive to put in now. Ours was $7k and not a flash one, but was set into the wall.

A standalone one would cost around $5k now. This is when you add up things like:

1) Fireplace, say $3k.
2) Flu kit, say $1500.
3) Hearth, say $500.
4) Permit, say $400.
5) Installation, say $500

So it's often more.

So that fireplace would cost at least $5k to replace with a new one, think about that before you rip it out...

[Maccachic]

This is the breakdown for ours in Tauranga - we had a mate put down tiles instead of a raised hearth:

Ash Pot cleaner $0.00 (These are brillant)
Moisture tester $0.00
Building Consent $343
Kent Flue Kit $715
Kent Firenz $1699
Install $700
Total $3457
Subsidy - $500 (Clean heating grant)
Grand Total $2957

[Kolyan]

Well it is worth money mate. They are very expensive to put in now. Ours was $7k and not a flash one, but was set into the wall.

A standalone one would cost around $5k now. This is when you add up things like:

1) Fireplace, say $3k.
2) Flu kit, say $1500.
3) Hearth, say $500.
4) Permit, say $400.
5) Installation, say $500

So it's often more.

So that fireplace would cost at least $5k to replace with a new one, think about that before you rip it out...

Had a think about it – these things are usually done by professional installers who do these things properly. I phoned City Council to ask if there is any record of the stove being installed. Apparently, there is a building consent for it, there is a record of professional installation by an authorised installer. The only thing missing is the certificate itself which should not be a problem to get. Because the installation has been carried out by an authorised installer, the City Council do not even need to send an inspector to see the place. I Just need to fill out an application for a code of compliance which is also free. Although there is another mysterious form I need to fill out called “Application for modification relating to B2 Durability”.

[Davo36]

Oh well, that seems to have worked out well then