Apply for a letter of comfort

What is a letter of comfort

A letter of comfort is a document issued by us to address unauthorised building works, typically where work was carried out without the required Building Warrant.

You can apply for a letter of comfort if:

  • building work was done before 1 May 2005 and no building warrant was obtained
  • a building warrant was issued under the former building acts but has since expired

We will not issue a letter of comfort for:

  • work done after 1 May 2005
  • work that is more than 25 years old

What a letter of comfort does

It confirms that:

  • we have inspected the work
  • we are satisfied that it does not pose a risk to health or safety

It is not the same as a completion certificate and does not make unauthorised work legal. 

Page last modified: 30 December 2025