Building law reform is on the horizon
In April 2019, MBIE released a discussion paper that proposed radical reforms to the building industry. Matt Smalberger looks at the implications.
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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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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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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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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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A new tool for developers
An act that has underpinned our land transfer system for 60 years was put to bed and the Land Transfer Act 2017 became effective. That change may not impact on you daily, but some things will impact on how you complete your developments in the future.
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Overseas Investment – Who can buy residential land in NZ without the need for consent?
In light of the changes to the Overseas Investment Act 2005, there has been a lot of discussion about who cannot buy residential land in NZ now. Denise Marsden looks at it another way, considering who can buy residential land in NZ without consent.
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It looks like a subdivision but is it?
Two recent court decisions considered something that looked like a subdivision and asked whether it really was. Both involved common ownership and exclusive use areas.
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