Blog

Dealing with conflicts between trustees

Trusts are often set up to protect family assets and are administered by the family members themselves. While such trusts may have lower administration costs than those involving professional trustees, they are at higher risk of being impaired by disputes between trustees.

By Tara Grant - 15 Nov 2012

Attention landlords, investors and tenants - free property seminar

This month, in association with William Buck Christmas Gouwland Accountants, Martelli McKegg is holding a free seminar.  It will focus on the latest round of tax and property law changes to affect commercial and residential property investors, landlords and tenants.

By Kay Keam - 7 Nov 2012

Fresh concerns for those contemplating a purchase of rural land

A recent Environment Court decision limiting effluent flow from farms has come hot on the heels of a Ministry of Environment report finding that the water quality at more than half the recreational swimming spots it monitors is poor or very poor.

By Kay Keam - 1 Nov 2012

Managing risk when starting new companies

Starting a new company can be risky. There is no guarantee that all founding members will stay the course. Many people do not realise the importance of managing this risk through a written agreement between the founders.

By Melissa Higham - 16 Oct 2012

Relief for owners of commercial leaky buildings

The towering 22 storey Spencer on Byron Hotel in Takapuna, Auckland is a renowned luxury hotel 500 metres from Takapuna Beach with panoramic views of Rangitoto Island, Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.  It's perhaps the stand-out building on the North Shore, but it's carried a dark secret.  It's a "leaky building".

By Andrew Steele - 12 Oct 2012

Proposed Changes to Taxation of Lease Inducement Payments

In July this year Inland Revenue released a policy document setting out changes to the treatment of lease inducement payments.  Those changes were to have effect to inducements payable on leases entered into on or after 26 July 2012.  As a result of feedback and consultation, Inland Revenue announced changes to the initial proposal last week.

By Kay Keam - 2 Oct 2012

Body Corporate Rules

The transitional period for body corporate rules expires on 1 October this year. If you are in a body corporate which existed as at 20 June 2011 then your existing rules will automatically be replaced with the minimalistic default rules under the Regulations unless you and your other owners pass new rules and give notice to LINZ (our land registry).

By Kay Keam - 14 Sep 2012

Choosing your Executor

When making a Will, one of the important decisions you will make is who to appoint as executor. The things your executor will have to do include:

• Applying to the High Court for a grant of probate
• Calling in all estate assets
• Paying all estate liabilities
• Distributing the estate balance to the beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of your Will
• Ensuring all tax returns are filed

By Catherine Atchison - 12 Sep 2012

Watch out for security interests when you purchase goods

There are many things a buyer must think about when buying goods. One that is often overlooked, with serious consequences, is securities which may be registered over the goods you are buying. If there is a security over the goods you are buying, you may not get clear title to those goods.

By Melissa Higham - 7 Sep 2012

Code Compliance Certificate Sufficient Basis for Leaky Building Claim

The High Court recently confirmed that a claim could proceed against Auckland Council when the only action within the claimable ten-year period was issuing the code compliance certificate.

By Andrew Steele - 30 Aug 2012