Earthquake-Prone Building

Under the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016, a building is classified as earthquake-prone if its seismic capacity is less than 34% of the current New Building Standard (NBS). This means the building is significantly weaker than a new building would be and poses a higher risk of collapse or serious damage in a moderate earthquake.

When a council identifies a building as earthquake-prone, it issues an Earthquake-Prone Building (EPB) notice. The building owner then has a set timeframe to strengthen the building to at least 34% NBS — the timeframe varies by seismic risk area and building priority category, ranging from 7.5 to 35 years.

Earthquake-prone buildings are recorded on a national register maintained by MBIE. The EPB notice must be displayed on the building. Many earthquake-prone buildings in New Zealand are heritage buildings, older unreinforced masonry (URM) structures, and some commercial buildings in town centres.

Note: In December 2025, the Government announced plans to replace the NBS rating system with a risk-based approach targeting specific building types (such as unreinforced masonry). The new legislation is expected to pass in 2026 and take effect around 2029. Until then, the 34% NBS threshold remains the legal standard.

Buying a unit or property in an earthquake-prone building carries significant financial and safety risks. Earthquake strengthening can cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and these costs are typically borne by the building owner (or shared among unit owners via the body corporate). Banks may be reluctant to lend on earthquake-prone buildings, and insurance can be more expensive or limited.

Always check whether a building has an EPB notice. If it does, understand the required strengthening timeframe, the estimated cost of strengthening, and how costs will be shared among owners. Factor these costs into your purchase decision.

Check the MBIE Earthquake-Prone Buildings Register (available online) for any EPB notices on the building. The LIM report will also flag earthquake-prone status. EPB notices must be displayed on the building itself. Ask the body corporate or building owner about any seismic assessments that have been done and any strengthening plans or cost estimates.