To support consumer protection and ensure that people have the information they need at two important stages of the process of buying or selling residential property, two approved guides have been developed; an agency agreement guide and a sale and purchase agreement guide.
Before a person signs an agency agreement for the sale of residential property, the agent must provide the person with a copy of the approved guide relating to agency agreements. The person must sign an acknowledgement that they have received the approved guide.
Similarly, before a person signs a sale and purchase agreement for a residential property the agent must provide the person with a copy of the approved guide relating to sale and purchase agreements. The person must sign an acknowledgement that they have received the approved guide. The guide must be given to both the buyer and the seller.
In the normal course of business, you should continue to provide your clients with printed copies of the Guides. Printed guides can be ordered from the Authority.
If you have an out of town or overseas buyer or seller you can provide them with electronic (PDF) versions of the guides. You must get written acknowledgement from them that they have received the approved guide.
- Click here to download the New Zealand Residential Property Agency Agreement Guide information [PDF, 182 kb].
- Click here to download the New Zealand Residential Property Sale and Purchase Agreement Guide information [PDF, 182 kb].
What is in the approved guides?
The guides provide information for the protection of consumers who are selling or buying residential property.
The Guide to New Zealand Residential Property Agency Agreements includes information on:
- what consumers need to know before signing an agency agreement
- what an agency agreement is for
- what consumers can expect to see in an agency agreement
- what to do if there is a problem.
The Guide to New Zealand Residential Property Sale and Purchase Agreements includes information on:
- what a sale and purchase agreement is
- what consumers can expect to see in sale and purchase agreements
- cancelling a sale and purchase agreement
- conflict of interest
- information for buyers
- what to do if there is a problem.
Can agents include their logos and other company branding information on the approved guides?
No. The approved guides have been published by us to provide information for the protection of consumers. Agents or companies can not use the guides as promotional or marketing material and there is no scope for company branding or logos.
How do I order the approved guides and copies of the Code of Professional Conduct and Client Care?
You can order more approved guides and copies of the Code from us by calling 0800 for REAA (0800 367 7322) or +64 4 471 8930 and selecting option 3. There is a minimal charge for these (see below) to recover costs.
How much do the approved guides cost?
The guides can be ordered in bundles of 40 or boxes of 480 (of the same guide).
- Bundle of 40: $50.00 + GST (including delivery)
- Box of 480: $500.00 + GST (including delivery)
The approved guides can be paid for by credit card.
How much do copies of the Code cost?
Copies of the Code can be ordered in bundles of 50 or boxes of 500.
- Bundle of 50: $50.00 + GST (including delivery)
- Box of 500: $500.00 + GST (including delivery)
Copies of the Code can be paid for by credit card.
What if I have an out of town buyer or seller?
If you have an out of town or overseas buyer or seller you can send them electronic versions of the guides. You must get written acknowledgment from them that they have received the approved guide.
- Click here to download the New Zealand Residential Property Agency Agreement Guide information [PDF, 182 kb].
- Click here to download the New Zealand Residential Property Sale and Purchase Agreement Guide information [PDF, 182 kb].
