A specialist law firm is calling for all leaky building owners who had work done by cladding manufacturer James Hardie to make contact with them to help bring a class action against the company.
Parker and Associates filed proceedings against James Hardie today in the High Court.
In a statement, the law firm said the claim would be based on an assertion that James Hardie was negligent in its design, manufacture and supply of the Harditex cladding system.
It said James Hardie had denied any fault or failings with its product in the past.
The statement said building owners needed to move quickly, as on 31 December there would be a bar on claims based on acts or omissions that occurred more than 15 years ago.
Home owner Tracey Cridge is one of many people expected to join the class action.
Ms Cridge said she and her partner bought their 1990s Island Bay house ten years ago and thought it was fine, but further inspection this year revealed a big problem.
"We understand it's to do with the cladding - that it's not watertight, I guess, and water's getting in to the framework and then coming in to the house in places where it shouldn't.
"There's a little bit of growth on the inside of the cladding, and some of the framework is a little bit damaged."
She said the cost of recladding her home was about $250,000.
