• Banks usually won’t lend until you can insure the property. • Insurance covers catastrophic events—fires, floods, earthquakes. • If you can’t insure, you can’t settle. You could lose your deposit. Imagine signing and going unconditional. Then paying a big deposit, only to discover you can't get insurance cover. Your lender freezes funds. You’ve already committed, but now there’s no mortgage, no insurance. Legally, you must settle. Commercially, you’re stuck. In New Zealand, this scenario is more than possible. Councils rezone land. A building once classified “residential” might shift to “lifestyle” or “coastal erosion risk.” Insurers take note. They may exclude insurance cover if...

30 June, 2025

Introduction: Picture this: You've found the perfect house, the one that ticks all the boxes - the dream home you've been searching for. But wait! Before you get carried away with visions of cozy nights by the fireplace, there's something you need to know. Unconsented works can turn your dream into a financial nightmare, potentially costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars. In this article, we'll explore the risks involved and offer you valuable advice on navigating this tricky situation. Unconsented Works and Their Impact: Unconsented works refer to any additions or alterations made to a property without the proper council approval. A...

02 November, 2023