First Home Partner scheme: on pause
The coverage of the First Home Partner scheme has been extended, but its availability is currently on pause.
The scheme appears to be a victim of its own success. In late September, Kāinga Ora announced that it is no longer accepting applications as the scheme is now full.
As part of government assistance for first home buyers, the First Home Partner scheme was established to bridge the gap if you are struggling to save a full deposit. As long as you meet eligibility criteria, including being financially able to make the mortgage repayments, Kāinga Ora can pay additional deposit funds up to the lesser of 25% of your home’s equity or $200,000. In return, Kāinga Ora becomes a co-owner until you repay its contribution.
Since August, the scheme has covered purchases of existing homes instead of being limited to new builds. The eligibility criteria were also extended to allow households with a total income up to $150,000 to apply (the previous limit was $130,000) and joint purchases by whānau groups of up to six people who normally live together.
The scheme may reopen in time as Kāinga Ora works through existing applications; we recommend you ask us or Kāinga Ora about the scheme’s availability if you are interested in applying
Council delays for property developers
Subdividing off the back section or otherwise developing your property may seem like a way to ‘get rich quick’; but be prepared for a long process.
Resource and building consents have never been an overnight job. The last few years particularly have seen developers face significant delays for reasons varying from staffing shortages to larger numbers of consent applications. In some areas, councils have struggled to meet mandatory timeframes for processing applications, with some taking many months longer than expected. The extent of ongoing delays differs from council to council, depending on current resources and the number of other developments underway in the area.
Regardless of your local situation, preparation remains key. A detailed application can help avoid additional information requests from the council that may cause delays. If you are undertaking any land development, do talk with us about the process involved and, particularly, the current timeframes so you can get a clearer measure on how your proposed development might progress.
Short-term accommodation – take care
As the summer holidays approach, the lure of offering a spare bedroom or sleepout on websites such as Airbnb or Bookabach to earn extra money is tempting. You should take care, however, to ensure you are aware of the rules around offering short-term accommodation.
Some of the constraints include:
• Resource consent: The extent of council restrictions will depend on the rules applying where your property is located. Some councils require a resource consent where your property is let out for more than a certain number of days or for a certain number of guests per year.
• Other restrictions: Properties with a body corporate, title covenants or a mortgage all may be subject to restrictions around letting the property for short-term accommodation. Likewise, if you are a tenant, both commercial and residential tenancies are usually subject to limits on how the property can be used or sublet.
• Tax: Depending on your situation you may need to pay both income tax and GST on the revenue. Further information can be found here.
• Insurance policy limits: Check with your insurer that your policy will cover you letting the property.
In addition, you should ensure the booking site’s terms and conditions suit your individual circumstances; their T’s and C’s are not all the same. You should also check they include all obligations you might expect of a guest as they will form the main part of your agreement with these visitors.
To help avoid penalties or other legal disputes, we strongly recommend that you consider these points well before listing your property. If necessary, talk with us and your accountant to ensure you are not inadvertently breaking the law and to ensure your guests have a good experience.
Election impact on property issues
The election’s outcome is set to determine the future of many property issues, such as the fate of the recently passed Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and the Spatial Planning Act 2023 as well as policy around foreign buyers, property tax rules and public housing.
At the time of writing, the government has not yet been formally confirmed, but we will keep track of any developments and provide a fuller update in later editions. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the effect of government policy on your property plans, please do contact us.
Disclaimer: All the information published in Property Speaking is true and accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge. It should not be substituted for legal advice. No liability is assumed by the authors or publisher for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on this newsletter. Views expressed are the views of the authors individually and do not necessarily reflect the view of this firm. Articles appearing in Property Speaking may be reproduced with prior approval from the editor and credit being given to the source.
Content Copyright © NZ LAW Limited, 2023. Editor Adrienne Olsen, e. adrienne@adroite.co.nz m. 029 286 3650
