Summary of changes

Information for prospective buyers or sellers

• Sellers must provide more information in the pre-contract disclosure statement before entering a sales and purchase agreement.
• After the sale agreement is signed, more information is now required before the sale settles.
• The buyer may delay settlement or cancel the sale when certain criteria apply.

Read information for prospective sellers and prospective buyers

Governance of bodies corporate

• Unit owners and committee members can attend a meeting online, by audio link, or by other remote access methods.
• Unit owners can now vote electronically before a body corporate meeting.
• A body corporate committee must: 
  • Produce an agenda for its meetings. 
  • Keep written records of its meetings. 
  • Record its decisions. 
  • Report back to the body corporate as the regulations prescribe.
• The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment can request relevant information from bodies corporate or body corporate managers.
• Body corporate committee members must follow a code of conduct. It requires them to act with honesty and fairness. They must also comply with the Unit Titles Act, the Regulations, and any other applicable laws.
• A body corporate committee member must notify the committee of any conflicts of interest. The committee will be required to keep a register of these interests
• A body corporate can enter service and signage contracts for a maximum of 24 months after the control period ends. This is unless the contracts include specified protections.

Learn more about the governance of bodies corporate

Raising the standards for body corporate managers

• There are new provisions relating to body corporate managers in the Amendment Act.
• Large unit title developments with 10 or more units must hire one or more body corporate managers.
• The Amendment Act defines a body corporate manager's role. It also lists terms for their contract.
• Body corporate managers will need to disclose any conflict of interest to the body corporate committee or chairperson.

Find out more about raising the standards for body corporate managers

Ensuring adequate planning for maintenance

• Large unit title developments must establish a long-term maintenance (LTM) plan. It must cover 30 years from the plan's start or last review.
• A body corporate will need to establish a LTM fund unless it decides not to by special resolution.

Discover more information on ensuring adequate planning for maintenance

Resolving disputes

• Changes to the Unit Titles Act include new dispute resolution rules and fees.

Find out more information on resolving disputes

Utility interests and charges to unit owners

• The developer can now assign a single utility interest. Or they can assign multiple utility interests for a service or amenity.
• A body corporate can now install a meter. It can charge a unit owner for an amenity or service provided to a principal or accessory unit.

Read more about utility interests and charges to unit owners

New regulatory powers

• The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) regulates unit titles. There are now 6 additional enforcement measures.

Read key information on the new regulatory powers

Want to know more?

Find out more about unit titles, bodies corporate, and the Acts. 

• Short Guide to Unit Titles [PDF, 1.7 MB]

• About Unit Titles
• The Unit Titles Act 2010 — New Zealand Legislation(external link)
• Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2022 — New Zealand Legislation(external link)