Key Clauses in a Sale and Purchase Agreement Explained

The key clauses in an NZ sale and purchase agreement explained in plain English — finance, LIM, building report, chattels and more.

Proply Team 6 July 2026

The Clauses That Do the Real Work

The standard ADLS/REINZ agreement is a template, but the clauses that matter most are the ones specific to your deal — the conditions, warranties, and chattels list. These sit on the front page and in the schedules, and they're what actually protects you as a buyer or seller.

a person writing on white paper with a penPhoto by Signature Pro on Unsplash

Reading these clauses carefully — and understanding exactly what each one requires and by when — is one of the most important things a purchaser's lawyer checks before you sign.

Conditions

Finance, building report, and LIM clauses that must be satisfied for the deal to proceed.

Warranties

Seller promises about the property, such as compliance certificates for any building work.

Chattels

A specific list of what's included, from stoves to light fittings to garden sheds.

Finance, building report and LIM conditions all appear on the front page of the standard agreement — miss the deadline in any one, and you may lose the right to cancel on that basis.

Clauses Worth Double-Checking

These are the ones that most often cause disputes later.

Condition deadlines

Check the specific working-day deadlines for finance, building report and LIM conditions.

The chattels list

Confirm every item you expect to stay — verbal agreements with the agent don't count if it's not written down.

Vendor warranties

Check warranties about consented work and compliance certificates for any renovations.

Quick Summary

  • Conditions, warranties and chattels are the clauses that matter most in practice.
  • Deadlines attached to each condition are strict — missing one can cost you your exit right.
  • Have a lawyer review these clauses carefully before you sign.

Want a lawyer to walk you through the clauses?

Proply can help connect you with a conveyancing lawyer before you sign.

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