New Zealand legal and settlement pathway
Steps a buyer normally needs to complete
- Confirm eligibility to buy. Overseas persons may be unable to buy residential land or may need Overseas Investment Office consent.
- Appoint a lawyer or licensed conveyancer early. Have the written sale and purchase agreement reviewed before signing and include conditions appropriate to the property and your circumstances.
- Complete identity and funding checks. Supply the lawyer with required identity, address and source-of-funds information.
- Complete land-transfer tax information. Every buyer, including each joint buyer, normally supplies an IRD number and a separate land-transfer tax statement.
- Satisfy agreement conditions. Complete any finance, insurance, title, LIM, inspection, valuation or specialist conditions by their deadlines.
- Complete a pre-settlement inspection. Check the property and included chattels against the agreement before settlement.
- Settle and register the transfer. The buyer’s lawyer or conveyancer handles settlement funds and registration of ownership.
Property-specific requirements: unit titles require careful review of the pre-contract disclosure and body-corporate records; trusts, companies, new builds, off-plan purchases, KiwiSaver withdrawals and overseas buyers require additional documents or approvals.
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change with the buyer, ownership structure, lender and property. A New Zealand property lawyer or licensed conveyancer should confirm the actual steps and agreement conditions.
This checklist is general information, not a complete due-diligence plan or professional advice. Your lawyer should tailor agreement conditions and checks to the specific property and your circumstances.