Buying a house or any section

This section looks at ensuring the building you want to buy is structurally sound. When

buying a new home you should also do some careful research into the location, the value of the property, and whether there are any restrictions on the title or the use of the land.

Doing the research
You may look at dozens of houses before you buy or only a few. Either way, you can find the right home with thorough research. We look at the important matters to investigate.

Property inspections
You have found a home that you are keen to buy. A professional property inspection is
recommended, next.

Homes with weather tightness issues
We suggest what to look for to avoid buying a leaky home.

Buying an apartment
Apartments require special consideration before purchasing. We look at why and

recommend steps to invest carefully.

Further research & making the move
When you’ve found the home you want, it checks out structurally, and has all the features

you need, the next steps are to check all the paperwork, get an agreement in writing to buy, arrange the finance and make the big move.
When buying a section, there’s a lot to consider, from location and access to legal and consent issues.

We take you through the process, pointing out where to get as much information as you can about the site. We suggest features to look for and to avoid, and explain what paperwork and legal processes are involved.

Choosing a section
What to consider in your initial inspection of a section, and how the location of your section can affect building costs.

Doing the research
Our handy checklist of things you need to investigate and arrange before you buy.

Certificate of title & restrictions on use.
What the certificate of title will tell you, how to get one and possible restrictions on the

use of the land.

District plans & resource consents.
Before buying a section, you need to find out what is in your district plan, and what

resource consents you might need.

LIMs & council files.
What’s in a LIM, how to get one and find out what else is on the council’s files.

Ground stability, surveys & valuations.
Deciding whether the ground needs testing by an engineer, taking into account wind zones, whether the section needs surveying, and how to get a valuation.

Environmental zones.
Wind, earthquake load and other environmental factors will determine your home’s

design and maintenance requirements.

Sale & purchase agreement.
What should be in the legal contract for purchasing a section, and getting legal advice

before you sign.

Legal Issues Relating to Building And Construction.

In this section, we look at some of the other key legal issues you need to be aware of when building and renovating houses, including contract law, paying your builder under the Construction Contracts Act, your rights under the Fencing Act, dispute resolution, and more
Fencing Act.
Fencing your property and dealing with your neighbours. What are your rights and responsibilities and who pays?
Contract Law.
Having a contract with the people you engage to build your house or do other work
around your home is extremely important. Some general rules about contracts and what
to do if there is a breach.
Fair trading Act.
The Fair Trading Act may provide you with remedies if the people supplying you with
goods and services mislead you or make false representations.
Construction Contracts Act.
This Act deals with payments due under construction contracts. Find out what your rights and responsibilities are and how to use the adjudication process under the Act if you have a dispute about payments.
Consumer Guarantee act.
The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) can provide you with some protection for the quality
of goods and services you purchase when you build a house or do other work around home.
Fencing of Swimming Pools.
If you have a swimming pool or spa pool you are responsibile for fencing it to prevent unsupervised access.
Health and Safty in Employment Act.
We look at the legal requirements for keeping people safe on building sites and investigate the responsibilities that homeowners have under the law.
Land Titles.
A Certificate of Title is evidence of your ownership in your property – it also has other important information about your rights and other people’s interests or rights in your land.
PIMs and LIMS.
What are Project Information Memorandums and Land Information Memorandums? How do they differ? When do you need them and how do you apply for them?
Resolving Disputes.
What are the options available to you for sorting our disputes if something goes wrong on your building project?

In the next posts you will see a details about all these acts and Laws.