Land and Building

Buying land or a new home brings decisions about the site, approvals, design and contract as well as price. Use this guide to prepare a focused investigation before committing.

Investigate the site before the design

A section’s size is only the starting point. Compare access, shape, slope, sunlight, neighbouring buildings and the position of services before assuming a preferred house design will fit. A rear site may involve shared access and service arrangements; a compact site may need a particularly careful layout for parking, outdoor space and privacy.

Build a property-information pack

1. Title: identify easements, covenants, shared obligations and any restrictions that affect building or access.
2. Planning: check the property’s zone and applicable rules through the Christchurch District Plan. Establish whether the proposed activity or design needs resource consent.
3. Ground and hazards: obtain available geotechnical and hazard information and have the implications explained for your proposed build. A neighbouring site is not a substitute for information about this land.
4. Services: confirm where connections are located, their capacity and the work and cost needed to connect.
5. Approvals and budget: allow for professional design, investigations, consent costs, site works, connections, landscaping and a contingency alongside the building contract.

The Council’s home buyer’s guide is a starting point for planning information. Obtain advice on the actual proposal before committing to land on the assumption it can be developed in a particular way.

Buying a new build or off the plans

Compare the drawings, specifications and contract together. Establish what is included in the price, how variations are approved, the expected completion process and what happens if dates change. Review deposit arrangements, finance timing, warranties and the documentation required at completion with your lawyer and lender.

For a completed new home, inspect the finished property and check the relevant consent and completion records. For an unbuilt home, understand the difference between an illustration and a contractual specification. Keep a clear allowance for items such as window coverings, landscaping or fencing if they are outside the contract.

Browse current land listings and use our buyer guide for the wider purchase process. For documents relating to a Burnside listing, call 03 359 0384.