Pre-purchase checklist

Before you make an offer

1. Screen the property. Check flood, coastal, land stability and planning maps with our free summary. It takes a minute and can save you hundreds on a house you’d walk away from.
2. Check the zone and neighbours’ zones if you care about the street changing, or plan to build.
3. Check school zones if they matter to you, with our school zone finder.
4. Get finance pre-approval so you know your budget and can move quickly.
5. Ask the agent for the LIM, any building report, the title, and (for units) the body corporate documents.

Conditions to include in your offer

A conditional offer gives you time to check the property after the seller accepts. Common conditions:

• Finance: your bank approves the loan.
• LIM: you’re satisfied with the LIM report.
• Building inspection: you’re satisfied with a building report.
• Title: your lawyer approves the title.
• Insurance: you can get insurance on acceptable terms.

Auctions and tenders are often unconditional. Do all your checks before auction day.

During the conditional period

1. Order the LIM and read the special land features, consents and notices. See what is a LIM report.
2. Get a building inspection to NZS 4306. For houses built or reclad between about 1994 and 2004, ask about weathertightness.
3. Have your lawyer check the title for easements, covenants and consent notices.
4. Get an insurance quote, including excesses for natural hazards.
5. Arrange a registered valuation if your bank needs one.
6. Consider a methamphetamine test, especially for rentals.

Extra checks for units, apartments and cross-leases

• Body corporate: read the minutes, accounts and long-term maintenance plan for big upcoming costs or disputes.
• Levies: check what they are and what they cover.
• Cross-lease: check that the flats plan matches what’s built. Unapproved additions can be a problem when you sell.

Before settlement

Do a pre-settlement inspection to make sure the property is as agreed and chattels are working. Confirm insurance starts on settlement day.

Questions