Families ‘entitled to know why appeals are taking so long’
Homeowners affected by defective concrete have written again to the Minister for Housing, saying the response to their letter of January 19 2026 did not address the specific concerns they raised about ‘delays and a lack of communication within the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Panel.’
The group says the Minister’s earlier reply outlined the statutory independence of the Appeals Panel, but did not explain why many appeals are taking more than two years to complete, why appellants are receiving little or no information, or whether any timelines or performance standards apply.
“We fully understand that the Appeals Panel is independent in how it makes its decisions,” a spokesperson said. “But families are still entitled to know why appeals are taking so long and when they can expect some clarity.”
Many homeowners have now been waiting over two years without any meaningful update on their appeals. In numerous cases, emails and letters sent to the Chair of the Panel seeking basic information have gone unanswered. During this time, families remain unable to repair, sell, insure, or refinance their homes, while building costs continue to rise.
The group says it felt necessary to write again because the initial response did not engage with these practical concerns and left key questions unanswered.
Homeowners are also concerned that some appeals which have progressed have been referred back to the Housing Agency for reassessment, effectively returning families to a system they have already spent years navigating and raising fears of further delay.
In their latest correspondence, the group refers to provisions in the defective concrete blocks legislation which allow for ministerial oversight to ensure the Appeals Panel is functioning effectively. They say this shows that independence does not remove the need for accountability where a statutory process is not working as intended.
Homeowners are now asking the Minister to explain why so few appeals have been decided to date, whether any timeframes apply, and what steps will be taken to ensure appeals are dealt with in a reasonable and transparent way.
“People have been extremely patient,” the spokesperson said. “All we are looking for now are clear answers and a process that works.”
In a letter to homeowners issued on behalf of the Housing Minister, it was outlined how the Appeals Panel ‘is made up of building and legal professionals and every appeal will be reviewed by the Panel who will make objective determinations based on the details supplied by each appellant.’
It added that the Panel ‘are statutorily independent from the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and from the Housing Agency, and they are therefore independent in the performance of their functions.
"The Department provides limited administrative support during the initial stage of the process, in that appeals submitted by homeowners are forwarded to the Panel. As such it would be improper for the Minister to interfere in any way with the decisions of the Panel.
The letter continued: “The Chair of the Panel appoints three panel members to Appeals Boards to assess the appeals. This is set out in Section 39 of the Act. Any timelines, communication, and queueing regarding appeals are a matter for the Panel. An outcome will be issued to you, and to the other appellants whom have submitted appeals to the Panel, from the Chair following the completion of their assessment.”