New disclosure obligations on agents and the disclosure regime of the Unit Titles Act 2010 have changed the roles of agents and lawyers acting on the sale of properties. They have added new responsibilities. Complex resource consent conditions, regimes that introduce leasehold interests and public expectations of control on neighbourhood standards have all significantly increased the complexity of the sale and purchase process.

This paper aims to bring some stories from the front line about these complexities and how they impact on the sale and purchase of apartments. It may well raise more questions than answers. Its purpose is to pass on information learned from experience.

The paper draws on experiences from Christchurch where the Unit Titles Act has been examined in ways that have not been undertaken in other parts of New Zealand. It draws too on experience from Auckland where apartment living is common and increasing numbers of the properties transferred are unit titles. This paper deals with specific issues rather than providing an overview.

Content outline

• Maintenance
• Other information to be disclosed/requested
• Serviced apartments
• Insurance