Nicole Burrows-Healy - Property Lawyer

Nicole Burrows-Healy - Property Lawyer Director of Absolut Legal. Helping you into your first home and more

22/09/2025

Got married? Had kids? Bought a house? These life changes mean it’s time to update your will. An old will might not reflect your current wishes and we can help you review and update it. Just give us a shout

Imagine if something happened and you couldn’t make decisions for yourself. An Enduring Power of Attorney lets someone y...
18/09/2025

Imagine if something happened and you couldn’t make decisions for yourself. An Enduring Power of Attorney lets someone you trust step in—whether it’s about your health or your finances. It’s peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Need help setting one up? We’ve got you covered.

Once your property contract goes “unconditional,” you’re locked in. That means all the conditions have been met, and you...
15/09/2025

Once your property contract goes “unconditional,” you’re locked in. That means all the conditions have been met, and you’re legally bound to go through with the deal. It’s a big step, so make sure you’re ready. Need help understanding your contract? We’re here for you.

Thinking of buying a property? Don’t skip the LIM report! It’s packed with info about zoning, drainage, and any council ...
11/09/2025

Thinking of buying a property? Don’t skip the LIM report!
It’s packed with info about zoning, drainage, and any council consents. It can reveal things you might not spot during a viewing and make you aware of what is going on within the area so you are always in the know. Not sure how to read one? We’ll walk you through it—just give us a call.

If you're buying or selling property, you've probably heard the word "conveyancing" thrown around. But what actually is ...
08/09/2025

If you're buying or selling property, you've probably heard the word "conveyancing" thrown around. But what actually is Conveyancing?
It's just the legal process of transferring ownership—and trust us, it's more than signing a few papers. We help make sure everything’s done properly, so there are no surprises later. Got questions about your property deal? Reach out to us!

About to buy or sell a house? But what actually are you signing? It's called a Sale and Purchase Agreement, and it’s leg...
04/09/2025

About to buy or sell a house? But what actually are you signing? It's called a Sale and Purchase Agreement, and it’s legally binding. It covers everything from price to conditions to settlement dates. It’s smart to have a lawyer look it over before you commit. We’re happy to help—just get in touch!

• The agreement must be signed by both the purchaser(s) and the vendor(s).• A spouse or de facto partner cannot sign the...
01/09/2025

• The agreement must be signed by both the purchaser(s) and the vendor(s).
• A spouse or de facto partner cannot sign the agreement on behalf of the other, as there is no implied agency between spouses. This can only be overridden if one partner has formally appointed the other as their agent through written authorisation.
• A purchaser may transfer their rights under the agreement through nomination. If a nomination is intended, it must be clearly indicated on the front page of the agreement. Even after nominating another party, the original purchaser (nominator) remains legally liable.
• Authorised agents may sign on behalf of companies or trusts.

• Conditions are an essential element of a sale and purchase agreement. They outline specific timeframes within which ce...
28/08/2025

• Conditions are an essential element of a sale and purchase agreement. They outline specific timeframes within which certain actions must be taken or reports obtained before the agreement becomes unconditional.
• The standard timeframe to satisfy a condition is typically 10 working days; however, this period may vary depending on the specific terms of the agreement and the requirements necessary to fulfil each obligation.
• If you require an extension to fulfil a condition, you must inform your solicitor, providing the reason for the delay and a realistic timeframe for completion. Your solicitor will then communicate this request to the other party’s solicitor. But note that the other party is not obligated to grant the extension and may cancel the agreement.

• Deposits are an important part of any transaction and in property law, they show intent from the purchaser and serves ...
25/08/2025

• Deposits are an important part of any transaction and in property law, they show intent from the purchaser and serves as a partial payment toward the purchase price.
• However, there are differences between deposits. For example, the deposit required by the banks is typically the contribution towards the purchase whereas the deposit in the agreement serves as a goodwill payment to signify your commitment to buying the property

• A cross lease is a type of property ownership in New Zealand. There are over 200,000 properties on cross lease in New ...
21/08/2025

• A cross lease is a type of property ownership in New Zealand. There are over 200,000 properties on cross lease in New Zealand .
• When you own a cross-lease property, it means that you and your neighbour/s (who are also on the cross lease) share ownership of the entire land. However, each owner holds a separate long-term lease (999 year typically) for their own house.
• A cross lease puts restrictions in place about what you and your neighbour/s can do with your properties and the land beneath them.
• Keep in mind that any improvements or additions usually require consent from all other owners on the cross lease. Skipping this step can lead to a defective title, which could cause major headaches when it’s time to sell.

A building report is one of the 5 conditions that the team at Absolut Legal recommend for any purchaser entering into a ...
18/08/2025

A building report is one of the 5 conditions that the team at Absolut Legal recommend for any purchaser entering into a sale and purchase agreement for a property. A building report is undertaken by a qualified building inspector which examines the properties condition inside out to ensure that the property is sound, and that there are not going to be any unexpected costs on the purchaser after settlement. There are various things a building inspector can look for, from weathertightness to structural integrity. One of the key things we recommend a purchaser gives to their building inspector to take with them to the building inspection is the EQC documentation if there are EQC claims for the property. This allows the building inspector to verify whether the claimed repair work has in fact been completed, giving the purchaser greater confidence in proceeding with the purchase, particularly in cases where EQC claims are not assignable.

A priority amount is a figure set by the bank to secure their interest over a property. This amount is typically higher ...
14/08/2025

A priority amount is a figure set by the bank to secure their interest over a property. This amount is typically higher than the actual loan, as it represents the maximum the bank can recover under the mortgage. The reason this amount is set so high is to cover not only the loan itself but also any accrued interest, penalty interest, legal fees, and other costs the bank may incur if it needs to enforce the mortgage, for example, in the event of a forced sale due to non-payment over the term of the loan. A positive of this is that having a higher priority amount can actually be of benefit the borrower. If they meet the bank’s criteria, it may allow them to apply for additional borrowing in the future without needing to vary the existing mortgage, saving both time and costs.

Address

575 Wairakei Road
Christchurch

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+64273554797

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