A new year brings new decisions and for those Aucklanders thinking of buying property, Auckland Council is here to help.
Summer, particularly February and March, can be the time of the year when the most homes are sold says Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) CEO Bindi Norwell.
“The summer months are when the most properties come on to the market in New Zealand,” says Ms Norwell.
“If you are looking to move to a new house or buy an investment property it pays to start your homework early. Gathering as much information as you can in advance about an area will help you make an informed decision when you find a property that suits your needs.”
Auckland Council has a range of information and resources available to help you in your Auckland property research. We can help with information relating to:
- Property valuation, rates and other property information
- Property reports
- Zoning rules. The Auckland Unitary Plan sets out the plans for future zones. Call us on 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a planner about how zone rules affect your property
- Future-plans for the area
- Open and closed notified resource consent applications
Check out the neighbourhood
It’s a good idea to find out about the neighbourhood you plan to buy in. We can help you get to know what an area offers, including:
- Parks, recreation and community venues
- Local libraries
- Public transport options
- Walkways, trails and cycling tracks
Council also periodically publishes State of Auckland report cards for different areas. These provide a snapshot on the state of the environment, the capacity for growth, demographics and quality of life – have a look at the report for the area you are interested in.
You will also need to do your own research when buying a property, based on your needs, but other things to consider include hospitals and medical centres in the area, and local schools and shops.
Moving in
Once you move into your new home, you will need to find out when rubbish and recycling is collected in your area and where the nearest waste transfer station is.
For help with council-related business, find your nearest customer service centre.
If you have a dog, you’ll need to update your dog’s address.
There are 21 local boards in Auckland. They make decisions on local matters and advocate on behalf of their communities. To learn about the activities and decisions of your local board, and to get involved, find your local board. You can also see past decisions and upcoming meeting agendas on the council website.
Once you’ve purchased your property you can manage and pay your rates, or create a group of properties, via Auckland Council’s secure online portal, myAUCKLAND.
For further information visit our home buyers’ guide.
