Misc

All is fair in love and law

What's your's is mine. As romance blossoms, few couples want to discuss the nitty gritty of money. But sticking your head in the sand about the Property (Relationships) Act could seriously dent your wealth. If you want to protect yourself, visit a lawyer before you "Pass Go" on your way to Freedom Furniture's bedroom department. If the gloves come off as love goes out the window, you could find yourself losing more than you imagined possible.

Monday, September 27th 2004

Q: What's the act about?

A: The PRA is designed to ensure that property is split fairly at the end of a relationship that has lasted three years or more - whether the partners are married, de facto, heterosexual or homosexual. As one financial adviser pointed out, it also applies to mistresses, rest home relationships and even flatmates if a sexual relationship develops.

In some cases, such as where the couple have children, it can also apply to short-term relationships.

The act also covers what happens to property on the death of one partner. So even those in the most stable of partnerships needs to be aware of the act to ward off any shocks.

Q: What does it cover?

Read More - Opens in a new window
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.74
Heartland Bank - Online 6.89
Wairarapa Building Society 6.95
Unity 6.99
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 7.04
ICBC 7.05
China Construction Bank 7.09
BNZ - Classic 7.24
ASB Bank 7.24
ANZ Special 7.24
TSB Special 7.24
Unity First Home Buyer special 6.45
Heartland Bank - Online 6.55
SBS Bank Special 6.69
TSB Special 6.75
Westpac Special 6.75
China Construction Bank 6.75
ICBC 6.75
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.75
ASB Bank 6.75
Unity 6.79
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 6.79
SBS Bank Special 6.19
ASB Bank 6.39
Westpac Special 6.39
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.39
China Construction Bank 6.40
ICBC 6.49
Kiwibank Special 6.55
BNZ - Classic 6.55
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 6.55
TSB Special 6.59
SBS Bank 6.79
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.19
AIA - Back My Build 6.19
ANZ Blueprint to Build 7.39
Credit Union Auckland 7.70
ICBC 7.85
Heartland Bank - Online 7.99
Pepper Money Essential 8.29
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 8.40
Co-operative Bank - Standard 8.40
First Credit Union Standard 8.50
Kiwibank 8.50

More Stories

Rate cuts needed to lift mood

Wednesday, April 17th 2024

Rate cuts needed to lift mood

The enthusiasm that followed the change in government, mainly from property investors, has waned as homeowners and buyers hang out for interest rate cuts, says Kiwibank.

Support for regulation

Monday, March 18th 2024

Support for regulation

REINZ has emphasised the need for property management regulation to Parliament’s Social Services and Community Committee.

A better investment market

Thursday, March 14th 2024

A better investment market

“Reinstatement of interest deductibility starting from the new tax year on 1 April brings property investors back in line with every other business in the country, where interest costs are a legitimate deductible expense," Tim Horsbrugh, New Zealand Property Investors Federation (NZPIF) executive committee member says.

[OPINION] Recessionary times

Thursday, March 14th 2024

[OPINION] Recessionary times

It is not the best out there for many businesses and property sector people. Sales are down across the board, our clients’ confidence is falling, and there is a lot of uncertainty.