Your Translator and Adviser
Your property lawyer acts as your translator and adviser throughout the purchase. They review and can help negotiate the price, settlement date and conditions in the sale and purchase agreement, edit proposed terms, and make sure you understand exactly what you're signing up for.
They also investigate the property itself — collating the LIM report, building inspection, insurance details and everything relating to the title, so any issues surface before you're locked in.
What Your Lawyer Does, Step by Step
Their role runs the full length of the transaction.
Review the contract
Check and negotiate terms in the sale and purchase agreement before you sign.
Investigate the title
Check for caveats, easements, or unpaid rates that could affect ownership.
Manage key dates
Track finance, building report and other condition deadlines, negotiating extensions if needed.
Handle settlement funds
Manage deposits and payments through their trust account securely.
Register the transfer
Confirm you've received possession and register the ownership change with LINZ.
Your Bank
The Seller's Lawyer
Your lawyer's trust account is where your deposit and settlement funds sit securely until ownership legally transfers.
Quick Summary
- Contract review: negotiating and clarifying terms before you sign.
- Due diligence: title, LIM, and building report checks.
- Settlement: managing funds and registering the transfer with LINZ.