Articles and News

This is the story of how Body Corporate Apartment X (BCAX) has responded to COVID-19. Other Bodies Corporate may find this useful in determining their own courses of action.

If you are in the process of buying or selling a property, we recommend you discuss matters with your lawyer. Although our physical offices are closed, Gibson Sheat remains open for business to provide its clients with the advice they need in these unprecedented times.

I anticipate that the vast majority of contractors will not be throwing in the kitchen sink on delay costs and letting the contract become a battleground. Pragmatism needs to win the day because it is very likely that none of the current contracts adequately deal with all the financial implications of the current lockdown.

Home-owners who have had their income disrupted by COVID-19 may be entitled to a 6-month mortgage payment holiday, but they should carefully consider whether a mortgage holiday is necessary because it will lead to a greater liability in the future.

• The rent freeze applies for an initial period of six months
• If a landlord has already given a rent increase or termination notice that comes into effect on or after the Bill comes into force (26 March 2020), this notice is of no effect.

The Government has announced a rent freeze in response to the Covid-19 virus. The rent freeze only applies to residential properties ...

Multi-generational households in NZ increased by 49% from 1996 to 2013.
For parents and adult children who own a house together, a Property Sharing Agreement should be put in place. This will ensure that everyone knows where they stand, and avoid misunderstandings that could lead to conflict down the track.

A title is a way to record the land and properties information, such as lot numbers, how big the section is, whether there are any covenants, easements or caveats registered against the title...

A property that has been used to manufacture methamphetamine, or has had methamphetamine smoked inside, can be contaminated...

The Overseas Investment Regulations were recently amended with the aim of reducing overseas purchases of New Zealand property, and making residential housing more available and affordable to New Zealanders.

There are two types of tenancy agreements which a landlord and tenant can enter into: periodic tenancy and fixed term tenancy.

Whether you are purchasing your first home, family home, rental property or simply refinancing your property, it pays to remember the consequences of not keeping your rates paid and up to date with your local Councils.

A rural lease is a legally binding document which governs the relationship between the landlord and the tenant for the use of rural land.  Often rural leases are entered into as a gentleman's agreement, with a handshake to seal the deal.  This works fine until something goes wrong...

The division of relationship property is regulated by the Property Relationship Act.  The purpose of the Act is to set out some rules for the fair division of relationship property at the end of a relationship.

If you have never bought a property before, it can be an intimidating prospect.  We have broken down this process and highlighted some things you may want to keep an eye out for along the way.