“He then asked if we were going to be away over Christmas/ summer. Our teen got Home Alone vibes and didn’t give info.”
Another resident said their teenage son had a similar experience.
“A friendly middle-aged man saying he was from the council wanting to photograph our renovation which he clearly knew about and came onto the property around the outside of the house to take a couple of photos before leaving.
“As we’ve had inspectors around anyway he assumed it was just another inspection. I rang the council to check, and they had not sent anyone.”
Council building consents and compliance manager Chris Scott said council building inspectors must carry an identification card and an official council warrant.
Building and plumbing inspectors usually operate from a council-branded vehicle and wear council-branded clothing, Scott said.
“If anyone receives an unexpected knock at the door from someone claiming to be from the city council then they should ask to see this identification. If it’s not produced then you have the right to demand they leave your property.”
Anyone with concerns about the legitimacy of someone claiming to be an inspector and has asked them to leave should contact the council and police.
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.