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The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has advised that it is working closely with all of the homeowners in Douglas Street, Timaru, whose properties suffered landslip damage after the storms in July last year.
EQC’s statement follows a query from the Timaru Herald. The publication asked whether EQC has settled the claims, whether any repairs are underway, are the houses safe to occupy and what work is being down to secure the area from further slip damage.
For land settlement claims, EQCover pays the lesser of either the cost to repair the damaged land or the value of the damaged land. EQC’s approach is to cash settle these claims and the homeowners arrange for work to be carried out to clear or repair their land once payment is made.
“It is our information that repairs are due to start for a property that we have cash settled,” the insurer said. “EQC is waiting to receive technical reports on the other properties, which have EQC claims lodged for them so we cash settle the remaining properties.”
Additionally, EQC added that any decisions on the actual repair work to the land and dwellings are a matter for the homeowners. The council will make a decision if the houses are safe to occupy under the Building Act and whether any further land stabilisation work in the area is required.
