Land Information Memoranda (LIM)

Land Information Memorandum (LIM)

A LIM is a Council document that provides all information held by that Council in respect of a specific property. It is recommended you obtain a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) on a property before you purchase, as it could disclose information that could influence your purchase decision. A LIM only provides the information that the Council has on its records. The Council may not have all the information required to make a sound decision about purchasing the property. You should inspect the site and get expert opinion on the property.

A LIM typically contains all or any of the following as available in each case:

• Rates information i.e. annual rates payable and rates outstanding on the property. 
• Land features.
• Restrictions on land or building use.
• Land use approvals granted or required. 
• Environmental issues i.e. potential for erosion, slippage, subsidence or flooding.
• Potential contamination by hazardous substances.
• Drains - public and private (where known to Council).
• Septic tank disposal system approvals (if applicable).
• Resource Consents issued. 
• Building Consents and permits issued.
• Building plans and drawings.
• Code Compliance Certificate details.
• Compliance Schedule details.
• Certificates issued by a Building Certifier. 
• Aerial photographs. 
• Licence details i.e. food premises, health, hair dressing, hazardous substances, etc.
• Information given to Council about the land or buildings and/or site designations imposed by any statutory body i.e. Historic Places Trust etc.

Note: A LIM will not provide full details of building restrictions applying to a site. If you are intending to buy a property for redevelopment, check your proposal against the rules of the District Plan. Council officers are available if you wish to discuss your proposal before committing yourself to a purchase. A LIM will not tell you that unpermitted or illegal work has been done on the property.

Your LIM may contain aerial photographs depicting boundaries and/or other information.  They are provided as a guide only.  To confirm property boundaries you will need to:

• view the Certificate of Title at Land Information New Zealand,
• locate the property survey pegs, or
• have the boundaries set by survey.  You will need to employ a registered surveyor to do this.

Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information held on its files.  If you have any queries or concerns you should discuss them with a Council Building Compliance Officer or Resource Consents Planner (as applicable in each case) or obtain appropriate independent professional advice.

PIMs and LIMs

PIMs and LIMs are both issued by your local council. The main difference is that the PIM is specific to a proposed project – hence the name Project Information Memorandum. Whereas the Land Information Memorandum (LIM) gives information on the council’s files on land and buildings that already exist.