Renting out residential property is a great way to make some extra money, pay your mortgage off faster and build an investment nest egg. It can cause real frustration, however, when your tenant fails to pay rent on time.

An agreement to lease is an agreement between a landlord and tenant of commercial property. It gives the parties an opportunity to record their leasing arrangements before they are formalised in a deed of lease.

If you or a member of your family have been granted a protection order under the Domestic Violence Act 1995 you can apply to the Registrar-General of Land under s108 of the Act to hide the information held about you on the Land Register which may otherwise disclose your whereabouts.

We are running our Employment Law Bootcamp as our next free seminar. Join Louise Foley at the Turangi Community Health Centre, Thursday 27 July at 5.30pm. Come along and remind yourself of the systems and processes that most of us find a little daunting.

The pundits were right. The Minister of Finance, the Hon Steven Joyce, presented his first Budget on Thursday 25 May and it was definitely a ‘steady as she goes affair’ with few surprises.

The Minister said the outlook for New Zealand’s economy is positive and the Crown’s books are steadily improving. We highlight some of the Budget’s key points below.

We’re great supporters of the Tauhara College 1st IV rugby team and are really proud of their second place finish this year. Yes, we give them practical and financial assistance to help with training and to get the team through the season, but it’s the boys’ skill, together with their coaches, families and supporters’ commitment that helps makes the grade.

Foreign trusts have been in the news recently. The government has now introduced legislation to tighten up the rules. But what are foreign trusts and is this important to you?

A frustration for trustees

Trustees need to be cautious. Trusts can sometimes be used to protect assets from future claims by a former spouse or de facto partner. However, lawyers and the courts are continuing to find ways around trusts in order to achieve what they see as justice. Recent decisions indicate why trustees need to be cautious.

Most farmers will agree that working dogs play a crucial part in the day-to-day running of a successful farm. So it’s important that you’re fully aware of your legal obligations and responsibilities associated with owning working dogs. If you don’t, there’s a risk of substantial fines and possibly a conviction.

It’s not unknown for us to receive a shocked look from farmer clients when we advise them that they are subject to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 regarding the accommodation they are providing to their staff.

As the dairy industry enters the calving season it’s important to be familiar with the new regulations[1] announced in June this year around the management and treatment of bobby calves.

Every day more Kiwis are learning that they have been living in methamphetamine (P)-contaminated properties. Discovering you have purchased a contaminated property can be financially, mentally and physically devastating for you and your family. This article looks at P-testing and the risks if you suspect the property is P-contaminated and nothing is done.

The government announced on 31 July changes to Housing New Zealand’s KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme to help more first home buyers into the property market. These changes are effective from 1 August. If you’re looking at buying your first home, it pays to check whether you’re eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver funds using the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal and to see if you qualify for the HomeStart Grant. Depending on how long you’ve been in KiwiSaver, the money you receive will go a long way in helping you open the door to your first home.

Nothing is worse than planning a celebratory dinner in your new home and finding the oven doesn’t work. How can you ensure this doesn’t happen?

An issue that arises with section purchases is the connection and cost of connecting services (gas, power, phone, internet, ultra fast fibre (UFF), water and sewage). A good developer knows this, but not all are so diligent.

You want to do what on my land?

Drink driving is one of the key causes of road accidents in New Zealand.

Using an enduring power of attorney

Other options if your business is shaky... Even the best of operators can face financial struggles and at such times a wounded business loses friends quickly.