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Understanding conveyancing costs.
When you are buying or selling property, one of the first questions is: what will it cost? The answer depends on what's involved.
More than paperwork.
Your lawyer is protecting your interests at every stage of the property transaction. Here's what conveyancing actually includes.
Title Search & Review
Examining the property's legal title to check ownership, boundaries, easements, covenants, and any registered interests that could affect your use.
LIM & Council Queries
Reviewing the Land Information Memorandum and making additional enquiries. Checking for consents, compliance issues, and council requirements.
Contract Review
Analysing the sale and purchase agreement, explaining conditions, negotiating amendments, and ensuring your interests are protected.
Pre-Settlement Searches
Final checks before settlement to confirm nothing has changed. Rates, water charges, registered interests, company or trust searches.
Settlement Coordination
Managing the flow of money and documents on settlement day. Coordinating with banks, agents, and the other party's lawyer.
Registration
Lodging the transfer with LINZ to register you as the new owner. Managing any mortgage registration.
Behind each step is careful checking and professional judgment. Your lawyer is looking for problems that might not be obvious to you.
Disbursements.
In addition to legal fees, there are costs payable to third parties. These are passed on at cost, without markup.
The exact disbursements depend on your transaction. Some searches aren't needed for every property. Your lawyer will explain which apply to your situation.
Typical Disbursements
Factors that affect complexity.
Not all property transactions are equal. Some require significantly more work than others.
Cross-lease vs Freehold
Cross-lease properties require additional checks on the flat plan, memorandum of lease, and relationships with other unit holders.
Trusts or Company Ownership
When trusts or companies are involved, additional documents and verification are required. Trust deed review, resolutions, signing authorities.
Multiple Purchasers
Joint ownership arrangements need clear documentation about shares, contributions, and what happens if circumstances change.
Family Lending Arrangements
Parents helping with deposits or providing loans requires careful documentation to protect everyone's interests.
Non-Standard Conditions
Complex contract conditions such as sunset clauses, vendor lease-backs, or conditional on building works require more review.
Rural or Commercial Property
Lifestyle blocks, farms, and commercial properties involve additional considerations: water rights, consents, lease reviews.
Why costs vary.
Experience & Expertise
Lawyers with more experience may identify issues faster and navigate complications more efficiently. This can save you money overall.
What's Included vs Extra
Some quotes include everything. Others list additional costs for common services. Compare like with like.
Fixed Fee vs Hourly
Fixed fees give certainty for standard transactions. Hourly rates can be more cost-effective for simple matters but risky if complications arise.
Disbursement Handling
Some lawyers include standard disbursements in their quote. Others list them separately. Make sure you understand the total cost.
Getting an accurate quote.
Providing good information helps you get an accurate estimate.
What to tell the lawyer
- Whether you are buying, selling, or both
- The property address and type (freehold, cross-lease, unit title)
- Who's purchasing (individuals, trust, company, joint purchasers)
- Whether bank lending is involved
- Any unusual conditions in the contract
- The expected settlement timeframe
What to ask for in writing
- Total estimated legal fees
- What's included in that estimate
- What might cost extra and under what circumstances
- Estimated disbursements
- Whether the quote is fixed or an estimate
Understanding inclusions and exclusions: Read the quote carefully. Does it cover everything you need? Common exclusions include trust registration, company searches, and additional meetings. Ask if anything is unclear.
The value of good advice.
Conveyancing is one area where problems often don't appear until years later. What your lawyer catches now can save you significant trouble down the track.
Issues we catch
- Easements that would affect your planned use
- Covenants that restrict what you can do
- Unconsented building work that becomes your problem
- Boundary issues that could lead to disputes
- Title defects that affect your ownership
Settlement problems we prevent
-
Delays - That leave you without a home on moving day
-
Funding issues - That could collapse the deal at the last minute
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Document errors - That slow registration and create complications
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Unexpected charges - That weren't budgeted for in your settlement
"Having a professional manage the legal aspects lets you focus on the exciting part: making your new property yours."
Key Takeaways
Conveyancing involves much more than paperwork: title review, searches, contract negotiation, and settlement
Third-party disbursements are costs payable to government agencies and other parties
Complexity varies: cross-leases, trusts, and unusual conditions require more work
Get quotes in writing and understand what's included and what's extra
Good legal advice catches problems before they become expensive
The cheapest option isn't always the best value
Related Guide
Follow our step-by-step guide through the property purchase process.
Read the First Home Buyer's GuideRelated Reading
Property Title Considerations When Buying
Property titles reveal ownership, rights and restrictions on land. Learn what to check in a title search before buying property.
When Family Helps with the Deposit
Bank of Mum and Dad? We explain gift vs loan structures, property sharing agreements, and protecting family contributions.