Wandering Stock
It is important for farmers to understand their duties and responsibilities in respect of stock on the road. Farmers are potentially liable for damage or loss that may result if an accident occurs.
Since the introduction of the Animals Law Reform Act 1989 (“the Act”) road users have been able to sue farmers and seek compensation for damage caused by wandering stock.
Our Fence - Who Pays?
Most people will know that there are ways to compel a neighbour to contribute towards paying for a shared boundary fence; here is what you need to know before you commit yourself to the work and the expense. Whilst there will be exceptions (for example there is a fencing covenant, a swimming pool is involved, or you are buying land recently subdivided) the Fencing Act 1978 does provide for adjoining occupiers sharing the cost of fencing boundaries.
A Quick Guide to Resource Consents
What is a Resource Consent?
Under District and Regional Plans many activities, even those on your own land, require permission from the relevant Council. That permission is known as a Resource Consent.
A Resource Consent is only needed when the District or Regional Plan does not allow something to be done as of right.
'Distressed Property' and the Mortgagee's Right of Sale
What is ‘Distressed Property’?
There have been a number of instances of good clients suffering from what I call a “distressed property” in recent times as a result of the recession. The “distressed property” in many cases is not necessarily the family home. More often than not it is a property purchased by the client as an investment, often immediately before the recession began.
Typically the market value of the property has eroded significantly since the date of purchase, sometimes to the point where the client’s equity in the property is negative. However, for a variety of reasons, the client has not sold the property, or not been able to sell.
