Selwyn_Times: October 19, 2022

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