Exciting news is on the way for Kiwi homeowners!

The Government has announced plans to make it faster and easier to build small, self-contained homes — often called granny flats or minor dwellings — without needing a full building or resource consent.

The proposed change, expected to come into effect in early 2026, will allow standalone homes up to 70m² to be built without the traditional building consent process, provided certain conditions are met.

What does that mean for you?

In short — less red tape, less waiting, and more opportunity to create flexible living spaces for family, rental income, or lifestyle needs.

The key details of the proposed law:

• Applies to small, standalone homes up to 70m²
• Homes must still meet the NZ Building Code and be built or supervised by licensed professionals
• Applies mainly to residential and rural-zoned land without special overlays or hazards
• Councils will still need to be notified before and after construction
• You may still need to pay standard infrastructure or service connection fees

Why this is great news for HouseMe customers

This change aligns perfectly with what HouseMe already does best — building fully code-compliant homes in our factory that meet all NZ Building Code requirements.

So while others scramble to catch up when the law takes effect, HouseMe customers are already ahead of the game.
Our homes already tick every compliance box, making it simple to meet both current and future council expectations.

Whether you’re setting up a home for family, adding income potential, or creating a secondary dwelling on your property, this new law will make the process faster, simpler, and more affordable than ever before.

Tip: If you’re thinking about getting started now, you don’t need to wait for the new rules.
You can still move forward under the current process — and when the changes come through, you’ll already be well-positioned.