SR263 Lifetime housing - the value case (2018)

Much of our housing stock is less than user-friendly in terms of access, mobility and general safety. Provision of features addressing these aspects is of benefit to all age groups that may occupy a house over its lifetime.

Provision of such features is generically called user-friendly design, and the particular specifications that have been developed include lifetime design, NZS 4121 and universal design. These features are not mandatory in housing.

This report examines typical New Zealand houses and estimates the cost of installing user-friendly features in both new and existing housing, using the lifetime design specification.