Selwyn_Times: October 12, 2022
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
2<br />
[Edition datE]<br />
13<br />
What build requirements are there?<br />
Explore what a new stage will look like.<br />
Buying in a subdivision<br />
Section availability is mostly in new<br />
housing estates and the district generally<br />
has a number to choose from, especially in<br />
Rolleston and Lincoln.<br />
Factors influencing section choice will be:<br />
the distance from your workplace, ease of<br />
travelling, services available, size and price<br />
of available sections, and where you would<br />
like to live.<br />
Ground conditions may also be a<br />
consideration. In <strong>Selwyn</strong>, the land<br />
is generally good for building with<br />
only a standard 364 foundation often<br />
required. Many people are choosing a<br />
RibRaft foundation as it offers seismic<br />
strengthening and may work out more<br />
economical.<br />
A factor which should be high on your<br />
list should be the covenants a developer has<br />
in place and whether these will present any<br />
issues for you.<br />
Any new housing subdivision is likely<br />
to have covenants stipulating what can<br />
and cannot be constructed, in terms of<br />
minimum and maximum house size on<br />
a given section, and aesthetic features<br />
like the roof pitch, acceptable claddings,<br />
landscaping and what is permitted on view<br />
from the street.<br />
The covenants will be supplied with the<br />
Purchase and Sale Agreement. Read these,<br />
asking your lawyer for advice and checking<br />
with your builder to ensure these can be<br />
met before signing on the dotted line.<br />
Before finalising your house plan<br />
with your builder and building consent<br />
application is lodged with Council, send<br />
this and a landscape plan to the developer<br />
for approval. This will avoid costly changes<br />
or problems down the line. There may<br />
be a charge associated with Developer’s<br />
Approval or a refundable bond may be<br />
incurred. This process is put in place to<br />
protect the overall look and integrity of<br />
the housing estate and ensure any damage<br />
incurred during construction is put right.<br />
Certain covenants may seem annoying<br />
however, they protect the environment you<br />
are buying into and can be accommodated<br />
with good design.<br />
The standard of builds in respective<br />
subdivisions may vary from smaller<br />
economic housing to larger sections and<br />
homes. There may also be variations in<br />
the features in each subdivision such as<br />
the street width, number of children’s play<br />
areas, walkways and beautification.<br />
Where you are purchasing off a plan for<br />
a section in a new stage of a subdivision,<br />
ask questions so you appreciate what the<br />
area will ultimately look like. Doing your<br />
homework will help give you surety that<br />
what is proposed will happen. This includes<br />
when title is due, something which can be<br />
slowed by Council consent requirements or<br />
the weather delaying earthworks.<br />
Closeness to schools, shops and public<br />
transport may also be considerations,<br />
especially if you want your children to have<br />
independence by walk to school, a park<br />
or sporting activities. Consider how each<br />
subdivision might suit your lifestyle.