On 1 October 2011 gift duty will be abolished
By Tara Grant - 25 Aug 2011
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The Unit Titles Act 2010 requires owners of unit title
properties to have a long term maintenance plan. Owners of separate
units may wish to opt out of this obligation by passing a special
resolution. This requires at least 75% of owners to agree. If a
special resolution is passed then each owner becomes responsible
for the maintenance of their own unit only and there will be no
obligation to have a long term maintenance plan and fund. Owners
may also opt out of the Act's requirement for an independent
auditor by passing a special resolution.
By Kay Keam - 11 Aug 2011
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The Government's financial assistance package for owners of
leaky homes has recently come into effect. Home owners may choose
between taking the Council to Court for the recovery of the costs
of repairs, or signing up for the assistance package. Accepting the
package means that home owners cannot seek any further compensation
from the Council.
By Andrew Steele - 9 Aug 2011
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The Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) promotes competition by
preventing misleading and deceptive conduct by traders in the
promotion, advertising and sale of goods and services. If you are
in the business of supplying goods or services to customers, you
must comply with the FTA or face serious consequences if you do
not. Penalties for misleading or deceiving conduct can be
severe.
By Melissa Higham - 29 Jul 2011
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The Unit Titles Act 2010 comes into effect on 20 June 2011. This new Act makes sweeping changes to the previous unit titles regime. We will highlight the most important of these changes over the next few weeks.
By Kay Keam - 10 Jun 2011
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As a landlord, you must follow notice requirements carefully
when attempting to cancel a lease.
By Warren Bygrave - 7 Jun 2011
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The leaky homes financial assistance package has been considered
by a parliamentary select committee and has passed its second
reading largely unchanged.
By Andrew Steele - 7 Jun 2011
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Academic Analysis of case law reveals that a third of pre-nuptial agreements are overturned by the courts… so why are so many agreements being thrown out?
By Tara Grant - 2 Jun 2011
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Today is Auckland Preparedness Day. The Mayor has said that
"traditionally Aucklanders have been the least prepared in New
Zealand." So we have attached a checklist to help you prepare.
By Mike Worsnop - 27 May 2011
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The last few years have seen an enormous increase in the number
of civil disputes settled by mediation. Parties see the process as
quick, efficient and relatively cost-friendly.
By Tony Johnson - 24 May 2011
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