Changes to the Building Act 2004
Changes to the Building Act 2004 came into force on 31 August 2020.
Understanding your property title
Before you buy a property it is important that you understand exactly what you are purchasing. Your property title records (or should record) all of the interests that affect your title. That way, you are fully informed about any rights or obligations you may have – before you buy.
Property briefs
Allowing for COVID-related settlement delays.
Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020: three stages of changes.
Reminder: Temporary COVID residential tenancies changes have ended.
Covid Commercial Rent Disputes
Subsidised arbitration and mediation services are now available to commercial tenants and landlords of small to medium-sized businesses that have been unable to agree upon rent reductions during Covid-19 alert levels 3 and 4.
COVID relief roundup
Since the pandemic arrived on our shores, the government has made available multiple types of financial relief; more than one may be available to your business.
OIO temporary emergency notification
In June, the OIO enacted a change that now requires all overseas purchasers of New Zealand business assets to submit a notification to the OIO before the transaction takes place.
Business briefs
The Privacy Act 2020 was passed on 30 June 2020 and comes into force on 1 December 2020.
Legal documents signing: lockdown
During the COVID lockdown, special rules applied to the signing of some legal documents.
Trustees’ decisions
In a recent case (Unkovich v Clapham [2020] NZHC 952) trustees’ decision-making came under scrutiny from the High Court.
Relationship property claims
When entering a second or subsequent relationship, it is common to want to keep assets safe from relationship property claims.
Emission control
One of the most significant pieces of new legislation introduced last year was the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019, more commonly referred to as the ‘Zero Carbon Act’.
Our new normal post-COVID
As I write this editorial, the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a long-lasting effect on New Zealand and the rest of the world. Everyone has been affected in some way – to a greater or lesser degree.
Charities in New Zealand
Charities play an important role in our society to help the disadvantaged, support specific causes or to advance knowledge.
Privacy in an ever-evolving digital age
The Privacy Act has now been passed and will become law on 1 December 2020. It will repeal and replace the current Privacy Act 1993, and will update the law to reflect the continually-evolving needs of the digital age.
Postscript
Smoking in motor vehicles with children now banned
Triangular’ employment legislation in force
Looking after your mental health during COVID
Commercial leases post-COVID
In the past three months, most landlords and tenants would have become more familiar with the details of their lease...>
Residential tenancies post-COVID
Due to the COVID lockdown and the ensuing impact on the country’s economy, the government has made temporary changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 ...>
Property Briefs
Healthy homes standards compliance
Landlord alert - changes to commercial tenancies
Mortgages and loans for property owners ...>
The Wellbeing Budget 2020
Employing staff is never a simple process. Finding people with the right skills and personality to fit into your team can be challenging.
Government’s COVID-19 wage subsidy
Employing staff is never a simple process. Finding people with the right skills and personality to fit into your team can be challenging.
Business Briefs
Employing staff is never a simple process. Finding people with the right skills and personality to fit into your team can be challenging.
Covid 19 Rent Relief - Policy released
The Government has announced its plan to change the Property Law Act aimed at facilitating rent and outgoings relief for small businesses that are struggling to meet fixed costs due to the loss of revenue caused by COVID-19.
Time for a Property Portfolio Health Check?
While the country remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 4, you may be considering the need for a new will.
Signing Wills at Alert Level 4
While the country remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 4, you may be considering the need for a new will.
Commercial Leases: COVID-19 Alert Level 4
The COVID-19 situation continues to develop quickly in New Zealand, and as many of you already know, we are in unprecedented times.
COVID-19 Update from Simpson Western
The COVID-19 situation continues to develop quickly in New Zealand, and as many of you already know, we are in unprecedented times.
Minimum Wage Increase
As part of a long-term strategy the government announced a plan to steadily increase the minimum wage in New Zealand between April 2019 and April 2021.
Coronavirus Support Package
The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19, may be causing concern for Coronavirus Support Package - What's in it for employers/workers
Enduring powers of attorney
In previous articles in Trust eSpeaking, we have explained why it is important to have an enduring power of attorney (EPA) and the problems that can be created if you do not have one when the need arises. You should have two EPAs – one for property, and the other for personal care and welfare.
Claims on an estate
The Family Protection Act 1955 allows children to bring claims against the estate of a deceased parent on the basis that their parent did not adequately provide for their ‘proper maintenance and support’.
Succession law in New Zealand
In late 2019 the Law Commission reported back to the government on its review of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (PRA).
Employment Concerns Over Coronavirus
The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19, may be causing concern for employers and employees alike...
Smooth sailing this summer
With summer fast approaching, many businesses will be hiring temporary staff to meet their needs over the busy summer months. Taking on temporary staff can throw up some tricky issues. ...>
Enjoy our waterways - but think water safety!
We are truly blessed to live in the Land of the Long White Cloud. This beautiful country of ours is, however, also the land of water. Wherever you are, you are never far from water. ...>
Trusts Act 2019
The Trusts Act 2019 will come into effect on 30 January 2021. Much of the Act updates or restates existing law. However, there are a number of changes about which trustees and people with trusts should be aware. ...>
Rural fires
The rural fires of last summer are a reminder of the risk of fire to our communities. The cause of the blaze in the Nelson region, one of New Zealand’s largest plantation fires, was attributed to a spark caused when farm equipment hit a stone. ...>