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.
These types of accommodation provisions are classed as ‘service tenancies’. They are largely subject to the same rules as any other residential tenancy with a few minor exceptions such as rent in advance and termination notices.
As an employer or farm owner, you must comply with the same standards as any other landlord and you can be subject to a Tenancy Tribunal hearing if you fail to comply.
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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.
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The oven doesn’t work – what to do?
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?
The last thing you think about when making an offer for a property is the condition of the chattels (like the oven). These are listed in the agreement and are often breezed over. When the oven doesn’t work when you go to use it, there isn’t much that can be done if you haven’t thought about it when you signed the agreement.
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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.
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal
If you’ve been a member of a KiwiSaver fund for three years, you’ve never owned a home before and the property will be used as your principal place of residence, then you may be eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver savings (except for the $1,000 government kick-start) through the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal scheme to put towards the purchase of the property.
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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.
When purchasing a property there is a lot you should consider. Purchasers are usually advised to include a builder’s report, Land Information Memorandum (LIM), obtaining finance and insurance on the agreement’s standard conditions. Many purchasers overlook the possible need for P-testing when buying a property. Since 2002 the use of P has skyrocketed, and it’s not wise to presume that properties in well-respected areas are safe. P-users come from many different walks of life.
Properties where P has been produced or regularly used are exposed to numerous chemicals which are absorbed by different surfaces and structural features. P-contamination within properties is rarely visible and it can cost huge sums to decontaminate.
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Proposed business tax changes
In April, the government announced a package of proposals to simplify business tax, many of which will benefit small and medium-sized businesses. Some of the key tax proposals include:
- A new pay-as-you-go option for paying provisional tax for small businesses with less than $5 million annual turnover. This will give small businesses an alternative to the current system which requires three annual provisional tax payments. To take advantage of the proposal, businesses will need to use a cloud-based accounting system, such as Xero, linked to the Inland Revenue.
- Changes to the ‘use-of-money interest’ rules that govern the interest paid to taxpayers for overpayment of tax and interest charged for underpayment. The practical effect is that the changes will eliminate or reduce use-of-money interest for most taxpayers.
- Contractors will be able to elect their own withholding tax rate to better reflect their circumstances and reduce the impact of provisional tax.
- Certain penalties will be removed, including the current 1% monthly penalty for new debt. However, immediate penalties and interest charges for late payments will still apply.
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Drink driving is one of the key causes of road accidents in New Zealand. With an increasing death toll on our roads, catching drink drivers is a priority for the police. No one wants the police on their doorstep with the dreadful news that a loved one won’t be ever coming home.
The drink driving laws are set out in the Land Transport Act 1998.
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Easements: You want to do what on my land?
A property owner‘s home is their castle. There are many ways, however, in which the rule of your domain can be reined in. Here, we discuss easements and what the implications are for you as a landowner granting an easement over your property.
An easement is the grant to another person of the right to use your land. Such right of use is usually granted to an adjoining property owner and is limited to a certain area, and the purpose for which it can be used is rigorously defined.
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Protecting the elderly
Using an enduring power of attorney
People often find themselves looking after someone else’s money or property under an enduring power of attorney (EPA) but they are unsure what they are supposed to do. A recent High Court decision (1) demonstrates the risks of ignoring the strict duties which are imposed. Although this is an actual case the names have been changed for privacy reasons.
Arnold was getting on a bit. His wife had died, one of his two sons had died also and Arnold was no longer able to live alone. Arnold had signed an EPA appointing his surviving son, Bert, as his property attorney. The High Court judge who heard this case explained what happened next:
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BUSINESS BRIEFS: The tail of two crocodiles, Business tax proposals announced, Attempt to structure around the Overseas Investment Act proves costly.
The ‘tail’ of two crocodiles
Lacoste recently successfully defended its rights in the Court of Appeal (1) to its trade mark which depicts both a crocodile and the word ‘crocodile’ (mark 70068) despite it never actually having used the mark.
Crocodile International Pte Limited had applied to have Lacoste’s mark revoked on the ground of non-use under 66(1)(a) of the Trade Marks Act 2002. Lacoste argued that its use of its other, more familiar mark, constituted use of mark 70068 under the Act’s extended definition of ‘use’ which includes ‘use in a form differing in elements that do not alter the distinctive character of the trademark in the form in which it was registered.’
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