Settlement day is not the end of the transaction. For lifestyle block buyers, it is the beginning of a new relationship with your property and its ongoing obligations.
Settlement day
On settlement day, we:
- Transfer purchase funds
- Ensure title transfers to your name
- Confirm any vendor obligations are complete
- Advise you when you can take possession
Unlike residential settlement, rural settlement may involve:
- - Livestock counting and valuation adjustment
- - Plant and equipment handover
- - Consent transfer paperwork
- - Introduction to neighbours and shared arrangements
Your first year
The first year of lifestyle block ownership brings its own learning curve. Some matters to be aware of:
Water system management
- - Learn your system before you need it
- - Understand maintenance requirements
- - Know who to call if something fails
Rates and charges
- - Rural rates differ from residential
- - Regional Council charges for water takes
- - Targeted rates for specific services
Consent conditions
- - Monitoring and reporting requirements
- - Consent review dates
- - Renewal processes
Boundary and access maintenance
- - Your obligations to neighbours
- - Shared cost arrangements
- - Seasonal maintenance needs
Insurance
Rural property insurance differs from residential:
- Farm building cover
- Tractors and farm equipment
- Livestock (if applicable)
- Public liability for visitors
- Business interruption (if operating commercially)
We recommend speaking with a rural insurance specialist before settlement.
Building your relationship with the land
Most lifestyle block owners find their first year a time of discovery. You learn the patterns of water, wind, and weather on your specific property. You develop relationships with neighbours. You understand what the property can and cannot support.
Enjoy the journey. Rural living offers rewards that residential property cannot match.
Ongoing legal needs
As your rural property relationship develops, you may need assistance with:
- Boundary adjustments or encroachment issues
- Consent renewals or variations
- Neighbour agreements
- Succession planning
We are here when you need us.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you have found a lifestyle block or are just starting to look, we are here to help you navigate the process with confidence.
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