We close for the holidays on Monday 23rd December. The team will be back on-board Monday 6 January.
If you have an urgent legal matter during our closedown period, please call Janice on 027 434 2789 or Steph on 021 595 980.

house icon

Time key to HomeStart

Published:
From:
The Residential property team

It’s great to see the increasing number of our clients taking advantage of the new KiwiSaver HomeStart package – with the Government confirming the scheme is off to the same cracking start nationally that we’re seeing in our parts.

One word of caution, though, if you’re keen to take advantage of this helping hand into housing, or, you’re already in the process: time. With the popularity of the scheme, timeframes are being squeezed, so make doubly sure you allow enough fat in your timeline for the transfer of documentation and funds – or you could find yourself in the lurch.

If you’re considering using the scheme, it’s a good idea to check in with your legal adviser for a quick chat at the outset to ensure you’re up to speed with what’s needed, and when, before you commit to buying a home.

 

You can check out the scheme’s first quarterly report, released recently by Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith, here.

Residential property Buying residential property

Aspiring articles

  • Barista making coffee

    Hiring casual employees

    Despite the short-term nature of these roles, if you hire staff on a casual basis you still have significant legal responsibilities. This is highlighted in a recent case before the Employment Relations Authority.
    Employment & HR
  • Couple on bicycles

    Contracting out agreements for relationships late in life

    Contracting out agreements can be entered into at any time during a relationship and are particularly useful for couples entering into a de facto relationship, or marrying later in life, as both parties are more likely to come to the relationship with more complex financial affairs.
    Relationship & Family
  • Gingerbread houses

    Neighbourhood subdivisions

    As urban land becomes more expensive, landowners and developers are constantly looking for ways to get the most out of their patch of dirt.
    Residential property
  • Upset older man

    The plight of stepchildren

    When a parent dies and leaves their child or children out of their will, those children are entitled to bring a claim against their parent’s estate under the Family Protection Act 1955 (FPA). While a financially stable adult child may not have a claim to a large  proportion of their parent’s estate, they will usually still have a claim for ‘recognition.’ The same is not true for children claiming against the estate of a stepparent.
    Trusts and Life planning