Before You Start Looking

Lifestyle blocks offer the rural dream, but they are not just big properties. Understanding the differences before you start looking saves time and prevents costly surprises.

Rural is different

Lifestyle blocks exist in a different legal and practical world from town residences. Water comes from bores or streams, not council supply. Sewage goes to septic tanks, not sewers. Access may be over private roads with shared maintenance obligations.

Council rules differ too. Building setbacks, effluent disposal requirements, and land use restrictions may limit what you can do. That paddock might look perfect for a granny flat, but district plan rules may say otherwise.

What you can do with the land

Before falling in love with a property, understand what you can actually do with it:

• Can you run stock? How many?
• Can you build additional structures?
• What are the setback requirements?
• Are there protected areas or native vegetation restrictions?
• What activities are permitted as of right vs requiring consent?
• Are there restrictive covenants?

Operational realities

Rural living requires different skills and equipment:

None of this should discourage you, but understanding these realities helps you choose a property that matches your capacity and expectations.

What your lawyer does at this stage

We help you understand what questions to ask before you commit to any property. This includes explaining title types, typical rural property conditions, and what our due diligence will investigate.