On this day six years ago at 12.51pm, an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 occurred in Christchurch, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The event had both immediate and gradual impacts to both the people, housing and businesses within the Canterbury region. To mark today's significance, we have created an infographic that visualises just some of the many ways the Christchurch earthquake impacted the communities within Canterbury. We hope you find it interesting as we all reflect on the events that...
Summer is finally here, but the change of seasons brings a new set of challenges for landlords. In general, landlords can expect their tenants to have fewer problems in the summer than in the winter – there are no leaky roofs or heating problems to contend with, for example. That being said, we’ve noticed that a few problems can crop up when the weather gets warmer. To help you prepare for a successful and happy summer, we’ve put together our top...
Is staging your property worth the cost? and is this time of year a good time to consider buying or selling property? View Melissa's latest interview with Spotlight on Canterbury.
Given the recent shakes and rumbles, you may be wondering how an earthquake in your area could affect your ability to buy or sell a property. If you have had plans to buy or sell in North Canterbury, you need to be especially aware of how recent events could affect you. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss some of the aspects that you may need to consider. How the Kaikoura earthquake will affect the property market In comparison to...
This year, the Government introduced a number of changes to make it easier for certain homebuyers to purchase a home. Perhaps the most important of these changes is in how KiwiSaver accounts can be leveraged to pull together a deposit and contribute towards the overall settlement. At First Avenue Property we have noticed a dramatic increase in interest from first-time homebuyers this year, which we attribute largely to these rule changes. Changes to KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme In July 2016, changes to...
As a landlord, you are bound to encounter issues with a tenant at some point or another. In the majority of cases, these problems can be resolved amicably through a simple conversation. Sometimes, however, you might need the help of a mediator to resolve the issue and/or make the resolution legally binding. In today’s post we’re going to describe the benefits of mediation and explain how the mediation process works. Resolving tenancy issues Tenancy issues can range from very small to...
The new requirements for insulation and smoke alarms in residential rental properties have been approved by Parliament and are in effect as of 1 July 2016. A number of smaller changes have also been made to the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), but the largest changes are those surrounding smoke alarms and insulation. Details about these changes can be found on the Tenancy Services website. In today’s article, we’ll provide you with a timeline and overview of the smoke alarm and insulation...
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