Climate change rising to the top the agenda
Many businesses and individuals are examining their global impact. Debra Dorrington reflects on a growing new urgency worldwide, echoed at a recent conference she attended.
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Tax policy consultation – Habitual buying and selling of land
New Zealanders wishing to enter the property market or to save for their home have often occupied a property while doing it up, then sold it at a profit. Exclusions have meant that the profit made hasn’t been taxed. Now the opportunity to use this process is tightening up.
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Commercial property for new players
Residential investors often perceive buying commercial property as the ‘next step up’. Commercial property can be lucrative but it’s far more complex than you may realise. There are a number of important considerations to bear in mind before taking the plunge! First-time commercial property investors need to be aware of the risks and make…
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Checks for first time buyers of unit title properties
Unit titles have their own idiosyncrasies so it’s worth taking time to understand how they operate if you’re buying one for the first time.
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Contracting Out Agreements / Relationship Property Agreements – what they do and why you might want one
We are seeing more and more clients in relationships wanting certainty around the assets they own. These clients are at different ages and stages of life. They want to know what they would walk away with if the relationship was to end, either by separation or death.
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Value for money legal services
Discerning buyers know you get what you pay for. But lawyers are not great at communicating the value provided by their services. We prefer the end results to speak for themselves. There is a flaw in this somewhat arrogant approach, however. Particularly when it comes to legal services around planning for our personal assets.…
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Who needs enduring powers of attorney?
It’s common to think that only the elderly need to put enduring powers of attorney in place, but the reality is everyone should have them.
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Providing financial support to your parents
Clients are loaning their parents cash. These loans are being secured in one of two ways. A mortgage over the parents’ family home, with repayment expected upon the death of both parents. Or children are being sold a portion of the family home in consideration.
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Diversity on the agenda
Today, Friday 8th March, we celebrate International Women’s Day. This year the theme is #balanceforbetter. If gender is a consideration in your selection process when looking for a property law firm; consider AlexanderDorrington. Find out why…
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Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill No. 2
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No 2) is currently before Parliament. Christine Cechova looks at the amendments and considers the potential effects on tenants and landlords. The rental landscape as we know it is shifting.
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Residential Tenancy Reforms – are you confused?
A raft of reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 have been put into place in the past two years. Landlords can be forgiven for being confused as to what exactly is fact and what is fiction. What has come into force and what is still being debated? This is the first in a series of blogs discussing these reforms. Christine Cechova makes things clearer, starting with two changes that are already in force:
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Overseas Investment in Sensitive NZ Land
The Overseas Investment Act 2005 provides that a transaction needs consent when there is an overseas investment in sensitive land. What is sensitive land? What type of property transaction is caught?
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