What should I check before buying a house in New Zealand?

General information from Lawmateanz

Before you sign an agreement to buy a house in New Zealand, it's worth getting a lawyer or licensed conveyancer to review it. Once signed and unconditional, it's legally binding.

Common conditions to include are finance approval, a building inspection, and a satisfactory Land Information Memorandum (LIM) from the council. A LIM shows council records such as consents, hazards and rates.

Your lawyer will also check the title for things like easements, covenants and cross-lease issues, and confirm that any building work had the right consents.

For apartments and units, ask for the body corporate's records and pre-contract disclosure, which can show upcoming levies or repairs.

Settled.govt.nz has free, independent guidance on buying a home, and a property lawyer can explain anything unusual on the title or in the agreement.

Written by Lawmateanz, not by a lawyer. General information only, not legal advice about your situation. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer.

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General information only. Answers are written by independent lawyers based only on what's in the question. They aren't legal advice about your situation and don't create a lawyer–client relationship. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer directly.