Questions for lawyers Found 20

I am a foreign national and I am considering buying a home in New Zealand as an investment or for future use. A colleague says that there is a ban on foreign buyers. What are the current restrictions?

We signed a contract to build an extension at a fixed price. Halfway through, the builder stopped work and now says that costs have increased and that we must pay more or he will not come back. Can he do that?

After we moved in, we found out that the property has a history of flooding and a neighbour dispute over a shared driveway, which the seller did not mention. The agent said everything was fine. Can we take any action?

My landlord has told me that I need to move out because they are selling the property. I have a periodic tenancy and I am worried about how much notice I have. What rules apply when a landlord wants to end a tenancy?

My rental has serious mould in the bedrooms and bathroom, condensation on windows and a musty smell. My child has been unwell. The landlord says it is my fault for not opening windows. What are the landlord’s obligations?

I own an apartment and the body corporate has announced a large special levy to fix weathertightness problems, which I think is unfair. I was not fully consulted. Can I refuse to pay, and can I challenge the levy?

I am about to make an offer on my first home and the agent says that I can make it unconditional to be more competitive. I am nervous about the risk. What conditions do buyers usually include, and are there dangers in going unconditional?

I moved out of my rental at the end of the tenancy and left it clean, but the landlord is claiming most of my bond for supposed damage and cleaning. I never got a proper inspection report. How do I get my bond back?

We are about to sign a contract with a builder for a new home and have been given a short document that looks quite informal. Are there any legal requirements for the contract, and what protections do we get?

I got carried away and bought a property at an auction last weekend, and now I am having second thoughts about the price and some issues that I noticed. Can I cancel, and how does an auction purchase differ from a normal offer?