What you want to know earlier than buying property?
We frequently get questions from purchasers about shopping for property in New Zealand. Having made a dedication to stay in New Zealand, shopping for a house is the subsequent logical step. The proposed exemption for high-value houses has not gone forward, so what are the fundamental guidelines?
Abroad Funding Workplace
The principles for non-New Zealand residents are set out within the Abroad Funding Act 2005 (the Act). Within the Act, an “abroad particular person” wanting to purchase any “delicate asset” in New Zealand should first acquire consent. Functions for consent are made to the Abroad Funding Workplace (OIO), a part of Toitū Te Whenua (Land Info New Zealand), The OIO regulates abroad funding in New Zealand’s land, delicate property and main enterprise property. The Act treats residential land as a “delicate asset” below the Act. So the OIO will get the ultimate say. There are penalties unauthorised purchases. See for right here for one excessive case.
Primary Guidelines for Shopping for Property in New Zealand:
- If you happen to, or your co-purchasing partner, are a New Zealand citizen, or have a New Zealand residence class visa and are ordinarily resident in New Zealand (defined under) , you should buy a house or land in New Zealand with no need any consent.
• If you happen to maintain a New Zealand residence class visa however do not but meet the ordinarily resident check, you might have can apply to the OIO for consent purchase One Dwelling To Reside In.
• If you happen to shouldn’t have a residence class visa, you’re usually ineligible to purchase residential property. There are a couple of exceptions, for Australian or Singapore residents or everlasting residents, we will advise on particular person instances.
What does “ordinarily resident” imply?
Underneath part 6 of the Act, to be “ordinarily resident” you should fulfill all 4 of the next:
1. You will need to at present maintain a New Zealand residence class visa, and
2. Have residing in New Zealand for a minimum of 12 months, and
3. Have been bodily current in New Zealand for a minimum of 183 days inside these 12 months, and
4. Be a New Zealand tax resident.
Time spent visiting New Zealand as a customer doesn’t depend however time spent within the nation on a piece or pupil visa can depend in the direction of the time in New Zealand requirement – supplied you maintain a residence class visa when you make your property buy.
The one residence to stay in exception
If you happen to maintain a residence class visa holder however don’t but fulfill the above ordinarily resident standards you’ll be able to nonetheless apply for OIO consent to purchase only one residence so that you can stay in.
The OIO’s makes use of a Dedication To Reside Check to substantiate if the applicant has a residence class visa, is dedicated to residing in New Zealand, and is buying one residential property for the aim of residing in it. You will need to to decide to stay in New Zealand for a minimum of 183 days within the following 12 months, and to turning into a New Zealand tax resident.
The OIO says that consents for normal functions could be made inside 10 working days. You possibly can apply for a one 12 months pre-approval to permit you purchase a qualifying property inside one 12 months together with at public sale.
Whenever you do buy a property, the OIO should be notified. You will need to then stay within the qualifying property till you’re now not categorized as an “abroad particular person.” The OIO screens compliance. The present OIO software payment is NZ$ 2,040 – see OIO charges.
We are able to help with most OIO consent instances. For advanced instances we even have prepared entry to different consultants. For help contact our Director Richard Small Richard.Small@PacificLegal.co.nz / Workplace@PacificLegal.co.nz
Or ring our pleasant group on +64 9 6660440
Please notice:
This weblog is normal data, legitimate as at February 2024. It’s not authorized recommendation in any explicit case. Guidelines and rules can change at quick discover. Every case is completely different. You must get particular person recommendation in your personal circumstances.

