New Zealand

Things To Consider When Buying A Home In New Zealand 

Starting the search for a new home in New Zealand? Don’t fall foul of these common house-buying oversights. 

When it comes to property-buying in New Zealand vs. the UK, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. For the most part, New Zealand homes are constructed from wood frames, then panelled with GIB plasterboards on the inside and weatherboards on the outside. New Zealand homes don’t have central heating systems, although it is a requirement for all rentals to have a heat source. 

All this to say, homes in New Zealand can be draughty, damp and prone to mould – particularly if they pre-date the 1980s. If you’re searching for a new house to call home, keep an eye out for these deal breakers.

Damp

Damp is a real problem in New Zealand homes, which is one of the main factors that led to minimum benchmarks for heating and ventilation requirements being rolled out across all rental properties. Unfortunately for potential homeowners, mould can be quickly hidden with a lick of paint, leaving you unawares until it inevitably resurfaces.

When looking at properties, check the corners of rooms for signs of freshly applied paint. The backs of curtains may also show signs of mould, as can the walls behind any solid furniture.  

Direction

Although New Zealand, on the whole, is warmer than the UK, you’ll still certainly feel the cold over winter. Between the reduced insulation and lack of central heating, houses are quick to cool down and difficult to heat back up. One significant exception to this is houses that benefit from facing the sun. 

When shopping for houses, pay particular attention to which side of the home is north-facing. Ideally, look for properties with north-facing living spaces and windows. A well-positioned house is worth its weight in gold, as your home will bask in sunlight from dawn til dusk, with the associated reduction in utility costs.

Sea Level

While it might not be something you need to think about in the next 5-10 years if you’re buying your “forever home”, it’s well worth considering where it sits in relation to the sea level. While beachfront properties are an incredibly attractive lifestyle choice, they may not be the best long-term investment. 

A report by the NZ Government outlines that sea levels are expected to rise 30cm by 2050, and many areas are already experiencing erosion due to a combination of rising sea levels and extreme weather. 

Buying a home in a new country is always an exciting but stressful task. And, like anywhere, New Zealand has its own additional hurdles to consider. Make sure you take these three factors into account when buying a house, and you’ll sleep safe and sound, knowing you’ve made a well-informed purchase.

Sarah Todhunter is a writer, mother-of-two and a dual citizen of New Zealand and the UK. As the sole proprietor of Fyxen Copywriters, she has navigated the ups and downs of moving a business and family across hemispheres, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Accreditations

As one of the leading providers of overseas removal services on a national and international scale, we pride ourselves on providing a professional and friendly service from our highly trained and competent team. We have been recognised as one of the leading international moving companies by the networks below, and we are, therefore, proud of our credentials and the quality standard they represent. In 2023, we became the most trusted moving company in the UK.

Some of our Customer Reviews

The packers were careful, quick and courteous. I highly recommend this company and would definitely use them again! Efficient, polite, punctual: could not ask for more.

Hertfordshire, UK to Virginia, USA - March 2023

From start with Michelle to finish with Gill the level of service was excellent. John Mason and its international partners handled my move from Devon to Australia seemingly effortlessly. I couldn't ask for better.

Devon, UK to Perth, Australia –April 2023

Absolutely one of the best movers I have worked with. Pleasant helpful admin staff and the delivery drivers were absolute angels sorting and moving the boxes where I asked them to. Arrived exactly when they said it would.

Yorkshire, UK to Sydney, Australia - March 2023

Read more independent reviews about us on TrustPilot