Our news / summer

Knowing your credit score

When you’re applying for a mortgage, wanting a loan for a car, to rent a flat or you’re applying for a credit card there’s one item that will rank in your favour – having a good credit history. But how do you know how you score for creditworthiness?

A new website was launched a few months ago that helps you calculate your credit score. Your score is designed to help indicate to lenders the statistical likelihood of you failing to meet regular payments such as a loan.

The website won’t give a credit rating; that’s different from a credit score. A credit rating is more complex as lenders need to know a great deal more about your income, assets and so on.

Owned by Dun & Bradstreet, Creditsimple will give you a starter to help you assess your creditworthiness. It also gives you tips and financial advice tools – all for free.

To know more, go to www.creditsimple.co.nz   

New pool fencing law comes into force on 1 January 2017

In late October the government passed a number of changes that will affect swimming pool fencing. The new measures are contained in the Building (Pools) Amendment Bill. The new laws take effect from 1 January 2017.

The main changes are:

• A compulsory nationwide requirement that all swimming pools will need to be inspected and certified every three years
• Retailers and manufacturers of swimming pools and spa pools must inform purchasers of their legal obligations for child safety
• New enforcement tools will be introduced such as notices to fix and also the issue of infringement notices
• Spa pools and hot tubs will no longer be required to be fenced. They will comply with the new law if access is restricted by having a lockable, child-resistant cover and are at least 760mm above ground
• The new law also explicitly excludes garden and drainage ponds from having to meet swimming pool fencing requirements
• It will no longer be required for a pool to be fenced on all four sides if the access of children is adequately excluded. A cliff face or infinity pool feature where children cannot get access will meet the law. It also allows new technologies to be used to ensure gates and doors prevent access, and
• The new measures also enable, as for lifts and other safety requirements, inspections and certification to be carried out by approved, independently-qualified pool inspectors rather than just council officers.