New rules for overseas home buyers
New Zealand is such a fabulous place to live – and it’s not just Kiwis who think so. Every year, people from overseas look to buy homes or land here, either to live in, or for investment purposes. But recent...
Why it’s worth doing a check before buying that house
Buying a house is the biggest financial commitment that most of us will make. And we all know that things can go wrong. Leaky homes, earthquake damage – we all feel sorry for owners who find their dream home isn’t...
Asking for help if your business is in trouble
No business ever wants to end up in financial trouble or legal strife, but when things start to go pear shaped, you need a good lawyer. That’s where we can come in. It’s best to avoid trouble in the first...
Land Transfer Tax statements – what you need to know
Most of us don’t buy new homes or land very often, so our clients are still sometimes surprised that they now have to complete a Land Transfer Tax Statement – and that they have to do it before settlement. Leaving...
Insulating homes against legal trouble
Many ordinary families now own an investment property or two, but how many of them are completely familiar with their obligations as landlords? Unfortunately for them – and their tenants – the answer is not as many as you’d expect....
Removing an incapacitated trustee
It’s legally awkward as well as personally sad when your fellow trustee develops dementia and no longer has capacity to make decisions. What happens, for example, when you want or need to sell the family home which is owned by...
The expanding definition of ‘personal information’
Our privacy specialist, Katrine Evans, did a presentation last week to relaunch the Privacy Commissioner’s occasional seminar series “PrivacyLive”. The topic was what kinds of information are covered by the Privacy Act. It’s a subject that’s always had some grey...
“Testing, testing, 1…2…90” – trial periods for employees
Section 67A of the Employment Relations Act tells you how to set up a 90 day trial period in an employment contract. Simple, right? Well, yes it is simple. As long as you do it properly. But it’s funny how...
What do you mean, my ex still co-owns my house?
When a relationship breaks up, sometimes the last thing you want to think about is going to see a lawyer to sort out your property formally. But when it comes to valuable assets – particularly your house – it is...
Surrendering a lease: the need for unequivocal agreement
Suppose you sign a three year lease to rent commercial premises from a business. The business will stay on site, but you’ll share office space and some other facilities. You’re also doing some work for that business on a building...