What we do

Property rights are near and dear to the hearts of many New Zealanders, and they can form the bedrock of many commercial endeavours. We provide advice to a range of parties in relation to lease disputes (landlords and tenants), boundary issues, disputes in relation to land covenants, caveat matters, and unit title matters.

How we can help

Our focus is on assisting our clients to work through the issues and disputes in an effective and efficient manner. Our advice centres around our client’s ultimate objectives, and we provide pragmatic and practical advice on achieving those goals.

There are common issues which arise in relation to lease disputes including in relation to rent reviews, contributions to fit out and make good obligations, repair obligations, and outstanding rental. We provide advice to landlords and tenants in relation to those common issues, as well as novel issues specific to the particular lease.

It is not uncommon for issues to arise during the development of subdivisions, the on-sale of land, and the construction which takes place upon that land. We act on disputes relating to the subdivisions, the sale and purchase of property, and issues relating to what landowners can do on their property.

Unit title developments are a unique form of ownership, and issues can arise in relation to the maintenance of the development, and remediation of the units. We act for body corporates and unit-owners in relation to schemes of development in relation to those unit title developments.

What we have done

• Acted for vendors and purchasers in relation to claims that defects were hidden during the sale and purchase of property

• Acted for a purchaser of land against the vendor who was trying to use the land covenants to prevent the purchaser for building their “dream home”

• Acted on rent review disputes, and provided advice to landlords on recovering the cost of remediating damage from a departing tenant

• Advised tenants on their rights in relation to the condition of leased premises and associated issues

• Acted for purchasers of property in circumstances where the vendor attempted to claim that specific land was not included in the sale

• Acted for body corporates and unit owners in relation to schemes of arrangement for the remediation of building defects in a unit title development

• Acted in relation to applications to sustain caveats

• Acted in relation to disputes between owners of unit title properties