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Grahame Hollobon and Kathleen Bennett watch their home being demolished - Source: ONE News -
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A retired couple say they will have to start from scratch after the bulldozing of their Christchurch home.
They are not entitled to compensation despite owning what is believed to be the first leaky property to be demolished in the South Island.
Owner Kathleen Bennett was reduced to tears as her home of the last 15 years became rubble in a matter of minutes.
"This is more horrible than I thought it would be, I had looked forward to seeing the house go, but it is really not a pleasant thing to watch" said her partner Grahame Holloban while watching the diggers.
The damage to their home was caused by poor construction with water damage turning their wooden walls to cardboard.
But because the house was built more than ten years ago, it falls outside the 10-year claim threshold for government compensation set by the leaky homes tribunal.
Building Minister Maurice Williamson says he will look at changes to the buildings act this year to give more help to homeowners but that is little consolation to these home owners.
"This house is less than 20 years old and the only choice is to demolish it, that makes any sense to us. We're demolishing it and we don't get a cent" said Hollobon.
It is Auckland, not Christchurch, which has seen the majority of New Zealand's leaky homes.
But experts say more South Island homes could end up in the same situation.
Because the climate is drier and less humid in the south, it takes longer for damage to set in.
The owners say the demolition will make way for a new water-tight house and that other South Island home owners should check their properties for damage before it's too late.
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