Land Information Memorandum (LIM)

LIM (Land Information Memorandum) is a report prepared by council which provides a summary of property information. 

Please note - we cannot process 5 day priority LIM applications between 20 December to 15 January.  10 working day LIM applications are accepted.

How to apply for a LIM

Fill in a LIM application form.  You need to provide a current historical certificate of title (not older than 1 month) or pay the extra fee for council to obtain it. 

The correct fee must be paid when you submit the application, or let us know that you have transferred the fee.  If you pay by electronic banking, council's bank account details are - Westpac 03 0638 0502288 00.  Please make sure you include your surname and "LIM" in the reference fields.  

Download this form and fill it in LIM Application Form (172kb 2 pages)
If you email the form, please tell us on the email how much you have paid and how.

You can fax the form to +64 6 863 1617 and email service@gdc.govt.nz to let us know you have faxed and paid.

Why you should get a LIM

If you are considering buying a property, we recommend you obtain a LIM before you buy. 
A LIM is a comprehensive search of council's clerical records only.  No site visit is made.
We recommend that if you have any concerns about the property, you seek the advice of a qualified independent professional.

Costs and timeframes

* indicate these items are a minimum charge and may incur additional actual and reasonable costs.  
A copy of the current certificate of title must be provided with the application.  If a title is not attached, there is an additional fee of $20 for each additional title.
Applications must be received by 9am for that day to be counted as the first working day.

Property categories

Forestry blocks and large LIM requests - at cost.
Commercial / Industrial - any commercial or industrial property
Rural - all rural properties over 1 hectare in land area
Residential - includes a property under 1 hectare, or within the urban boundaries that are not commercial or industrial.

If you are unsure of the category please contact us

Information provided in a LIM

This is a guide to the information supplied by council under Section 44A of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.  A LIM provides some or all of the following items:

• Valuation details - land, improvement and capital value.
• Annual rates, includes outstanding balance and arrears if any.
• Water meter information including current outstanding balance and arrears if any.
• Planning zoning, land use, designations, natural and cultural heritage information.
• Building, plumbing and drainage - a list of permits/consents issued
• Resource consents (approved or declined) within the past 5 years, or earlier if appropriate.
• Consents on adjoining properties are provided if council deems information is in the purchaser's greater interest.
• Any known restrictions on the site which may restrict land use, future additions, subdivisions.

For a property near hills and streams or in rural areas:  

• Water permits/consents and/or outstanding requisitions.
• Earthworks and land disturbance requirements and existing consents.

Details of issued building and plumbing / drainage permits and consents; code of compliance certificate status; compliance schedule, if applicable; warrant of fitness, if applicable;

• check of swimming pool register
• council's underground services.

For a commercial property - details of dangerous goods, contaminated sites, liquor and health licences

Any natural hazards/special features, including:

• erosion
• avulsion [removal of land by water action]
• falling debris
• subsidence
• slippage
• alluvium [the deposition of silt from flooding]
• inundation [flooding]
• Risk of amplification of ground shaking and susceptibility to soil liquefaction during an earthquake (from the available IGNS earthquake hazard mapping)

Any history of flooding, noxious plants and other information that may affect the property.

The back of the application form provides a more in depth description of items.

What happens if there is no building permit for work carried out on the property?

• Council cannot retrospectively issue a building consent for work that has already been completed. Council may only issue a Certificate of Acceptance.
• The owner becomes liable for any un-permitted work.  Talk to your solicitor.

Exceptions include: 

Housing Corporation houses and Department of Maori Affairs houses built prior to 1991.  These organisations were not required to apply for a building consent.

Cook County Council records were destroyed in a fire - records pre-1948.