Can I have an Open Homes/Private viewings:

These are not considered essential services so cannot take place in person. They could take place via online virtual tours or video conferencing type software, where people aren't required to leave their homes and no in-person contact occurs

What if my house is due to settle during the lockdown?

In lock down, vendors and purchasers will not be able to move in and out of their houses. For this reason, Auckland District Law Society is recommending that settlements be deferred until after the Alert Level 4 restriction is lifted. The party's lawyers will make appropriate amendments to the contract to facilitate this

What if I need to move during the lockdown period?

Travel will be restricted to essential travel only e.g. pharmacy/supermarket trip, so settlements and moving house should be deferred until after the Alert Level 4 restriction is lifted. The parties lawyers will make appropriate amendments to the contract to facilitate this

For rural sales and tenanted property sales: Auckland District Law Society have considered situations where sales may not involve people leaving their home or any in-person contact (e.g. where a property is tenanted and the tenancy will continue after settlement) and have advised that whilst settlement can occur where no one has to have contact, purchasers and vendors may encounter difficulties when trying to get A&I, mortgage instruction, and other legal forms issued and signed. So, deferring settlement may still be the safest option. We would strongly recommend that the parties seek and follow the advice of their lawyers and not assume settlement can or will be able to occur. Physical property inspections cannot occur when we are under Level 4 lockdown

Can I bridge finance:

Vendors/purchasers should talk to their bank or financial services provider in the first instance

What if I have a conditional contract on a property?

These can still be confirmed during lockdown provided no travel/face-to-face meetings are required. If the condition(s) cannot be met during the Alert Level 4 period, then both the buyer and seller should take legal advice and either extend the condition until after the lockdown period or cancel the contract. The party's lawyers will make appropriate amendments to the contract to facilitate this

What if I need to arrange a pre-settlement inspection?

These are unable to take place in person during lockdown, however, if both parties agree, these could take place using video conferencing

Property Management

Rental Viewings:

These are not considered essential services so are unable to take place during lockdown unless done by virtual reality tour or pre recorded video/photos or other technology. If tenants need emergency accommodation, they should contact Work and Income

Routine inspections:

These are not essential services, so should be deferred until after the lockdown period in consultation with the landlord and their insurer

Routine Maintenance:

As this is not an essential service it should be deferred until after the lockdown period in consultation with the landlord

Urgent Maintenance:

If this is related to essential services e.g. power, water, waste, gas then it is likely this can be undertaken during the lockdown period. However, we are awaiting confirmation from MBIE on this matter

Rental increases:

Cabinet has agreed to freeze all rent increases. Rent still needs to be paid during this period, however, if tenants have lost their jobs and need support they should talk to their landlord/property manager at their earliest convenience to work out a payment plan or to see what financial support is available to them.

No cause terminations:

Tenants can not be issued with a 90-day no cause termination notice during the lockdown period. We are awaiting further details from MBIE on this issue

Owner wants to move back into the property during lockdown:

The current law states a landlord must give 42 days’ notice if an owner or their immediate family wish to use the premises for their own use. Under the proposed changes (which are currently under review) this would increase to 63 days’ notice. We are waiting for confirmation in regard to which notice period should be used if this is required

Please stay safe, look after yourselves and your families. We will get through this together.

NB Please note that the following is advice that REINZ has been given at this point in time. This is not legal advice, but provides a recommended approach in certain situations.

Wellsford came in at number 1 growing 3.4% in the second quarter of 2018 - well ahead of Auckland's next best performing suburb located in Chatswood.

Median values of properties in the town hit $540,700 in the three months to June 30 and at this price point, it also claimed the title of Auckland's most affordable suburb.

South and East Auckland saw a fairly flat quarter in terms of overall value growth, rising 0.10%, though some suburbs in the region saw positive upward movement.

Somerville was the top performer, with growth of 2.20%, followed closely by Northpark, up 2.10%.
Mangere, Mangere East and Totara Heights also featured within the list all rising up by 1.3%.

Manurewa East saw the largest fall, with the median value there dropping 3.0%. Buckland's Beach also dipped (-1.7%) as did Mellons Bay (-1.6%).

To view all 21 suburbs that rose the highest, click here

Change is inevitable but progress is optional. Each of us is responsible for our own progress.

In the words of my client, Velma, who is off to retire in Papamoa, "Shannon, I have been through many changes in governments, property markets and so forth over the years, and life's too short to worry overly about these things and then put me off from moving to where I want to be.''

And Velma is right — regardless of which party or parties are governing, I still have a job to do for you, people still want to buy houses and I'm sure you still want to get to where you want to be when the time comes.

What does the new government mean for our local market? Well, it's too early to tell until we see what policies the coalition partners have agreed on. I'm guessing immigration and foreign ownership will be in the line of fire, so there may be some impact there.

In case you didn't check them out prior to the election, I've linked to a list of Labour's proposed housing policies below.

Ban foreign speculators from buying existing homes
Labour will ban foreign speculators from buying existing New Zealand homes. This will remove from the market foreign speculators who are pushing prices out of reach of first home buyers.

Tax property speculators who flick houses within five years
Labour will extend the bright line test from the current two years to five years. This will target speculators who buy houses with the aim of making a quick capital gain. Current exemptions from the bright line test will continue.

Property speculators will no longer be able to use tax losses on their rental properties to offset their tax on other income which gives them an unfair advantage over people looking to buy their first home.

Build more affordable houses ...