LIMs

A LIM (Land Information Memorandum) is a report on a property compiled from information and details held on Hamilton City Council files and database. Houses built before 1993 (when the Building Act 1991 really came into effect) may not necessarily have a physical plan on record. Also, information about property built before 1980 has a low chance of having plans and specifications on file. We can, however, search permit information as part of a LIM report.

Property information is stored on Council computer databases, microfiches or in old book registers which have to be manually searched. Searching the old registers takes some time with no guarantee that any information about building permits/consents exists. Property information files were not always transferred to Hamilton City Council when land was added to the city. So in some cases the information Council holds relates only to activity on the property that has occurred since the land transfer. The property information is collected from all relevant departments in Council, then collated. The amount of information available is not known until then.

To get a LIM please complete and submit a LIM application form. Please note there is NO urgent service - a LIM report takes about 5 working days to compile. You will be contacted when your LIM report is ready for collection. Please do not ring to check when it will be ready as every phone call contributes to slowing down the whole process.

Please note:

• Only a current LIM is valid for the purpose of a Sale and Purchase Agreement
• A LIM report does not include a physical inspection of the property.

Why get a LIM?

• If you are buying a property, a LIM may answer some important questions about the property and any associated buildings
• If you are selling a property, a LIM is a way of informing potential buyers
• A LIM provides you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have regarding Council requirements, matters or issues, and to obtain advice from your solicitor
• Banks and insurance companies may require a LIM to protect their investment.

The information you will receive in a LIM will include:

Building Consents, Licenses and Requisitions

• Building permits/consents issued on the property
• Any outstanding works/Code Compliance Certificates for consents issued since 1993
• If a compliance schedule has been issued for the building and when the related warrant of fitness expires
• Any other notice, order, or requisition affecting the land or any building on the land previously issued by Council
• The status of the land in relation to contamination of soil by hazardous substances
• Whether the property has a licence relating to the Sale of Food, the Sale of Liquor, or other licence (under the Health Act 1956).

Swimming Pool

• Whether the property has a swimming pool known to Council
• In accordance with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, if an inspection is required in relation to the swimming pool fencing an additional fee is payable before inspection is undertaken.

Rates

• Current rating valuation
• Annual rates levy
• Penalties charged during the year
• Outstanding amounts for current instalment period
• Rates arrears
• Water charges (commercial only)

District Plan Information

• Zoning of the property as defined by Operative and/or Proposed District Plan
• Environmental Protection Overlay
• Whether the site is listed as a Heritage Item, Heritage Precinct, or Archaeological, Historic or Cultural Overlay
• Notable Trees on the site
• All current/valid resource consents approved in relation to the property
• Notified resource consent applications in process at the subject site and adjoining properties

Public Works

Any proposed public works that may directly affect the property, where it is known.

Drainage/Water

• Information on public stormwater and wastewater pipelines on the property as shown on Council's log plans.
• Water toby location
• Private drainage plans will be provided if available.

Special Features

• Such as erosion, subsidence, filling, flooding, avulsion, falling debris, slippage, alluvion, or innundation and soil report in relation to the property, where Council has such information available.

The information that you will NOT receive in a LIM :

• Information in relation to state highways please contact New Zealand Transport Agency
• Plans for and activities on any Parks and Reserves in the vicinity of the property - contact the Parks and Gardens Unit
• Hamilton City Council does not hold any information concerning electricity and gas and telephone connections. Information may be obtained from the relevant utility companies
• Non-notified resource consent application in process on the subject site
• Any decisions on adjacent property.

What information you need to provide:

• A completed application form
• Street address
• Legal description, e.g.: Lot & DP/S
• Current owner
• A current and appropriate Certificate of Title together with attahed diagram (see application form).

How much does it cost?

How long does it take?

Legislation requires Council to provide a LIM within 10 working days. We will provide a money back guarantee.  Once you have filed your application form please wait for a LIM officer to contact you, do not ring to check when your LIM will be ready as this will slow the process down.  Your LIM will take 5 to 10 working days, please factor this into your planning.

Any application received after 11:30am will not be processed until the following working day.

An application is not considered to be submitted unless the full and correctly completed application has been received by Council along with a Historical Certificate of Title - this title can be obtained from www.linz.co.nz or a copy can be obtained from your lawyer or real estate agent. Council can obtain the Certificate of Title for you at a cost of $25, the title will be for the property you provide the legal description for - Council cannot be held responsible for an incorrent Certificate of Title if the legal description has been provide incorrectly.  A complete LIM application is also subject to receipt by Council of the relevant fee.

Disclaimer:  You are applying for a Land Information Memorandum.  Information supplied may contain information that has been supplied by a third party and to which Council cannot state it is reliable or accurate.  Hamilton City Council advises that such third party information be subject to further checking for accuracy by the Applicant.  In addition, Hamilton city Council will not accept any liability whatsoever, or subsequent loss, attributed to the third party information.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund of the fee an application must be cancelled within 24 hours of lodging the application.  After this no refund will be available.

Links

• Online LIM application (you will need to have the legal discription of the property)
• LIM Application Form - PDF (65KB)

Contact
and forward applications

 
 
 
 
 
 
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LIM Officer
Business Support
Ground Floor, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6701
Fax: 838 6445

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