LIMs - Land Information Memoranda
A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a document prepared by Council (at your request) and contains information relating to a specific property. It provides a summary of property information and any issues that may affect it.
Information on land and property is sourced from Council records. Our role in relation to property information includes storing information and making it available to the public as required under Section 44A of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Why is a LIM important?
A LIM enables you to check that all of the buildings and structures on a property are approved, such as dwellings, garages, alterations, conservatories, spa pools and fire places etc. It's important to be aware of any potential hazards on a property (e.g.: a LIM may show areas prone to ponding or flooding in heavy rain). A LIM will identify any existing consents on the property, along with any resource consents on neighbouring properties.
A property with unauthorised building work may result in your insurance being invalid and it could be expensive for you to rectify the unauthorised work.
LIM fees
The fees for a LIM are:
Residential, Horticultural and Farming properties $270.00
Vacant Residential sections $150.00
Commercial properties $320.00
What is included in a LIM?
- Any special features or natural hazards of the land, including potential erosion, subsidence, slippage and flooding.
- Information on stormwater, sewerage services, the availability of water services and any information Council holds about these.
- The property’s Rateable Valuation and a summary of the rates account.
- Any consent, permits, Code Compliance Certificates, notices, orders or requisitions for the land or buildings.
- District Plan information including zoning, designations, Waahi Tapu sites, details of proposed road widening, tree protection and any heritage buildings in the immediate area.
- Any other classifications of the land and buildings that have been notified to Council.
- Any other information that Council considers, at its discretion, to be relevant.
What a LIM does not cover:
- Any development works undertaken without Council’s knowledge or consent.
- A full and comprehensive outline of development restrictions applying to a site.
- A site visit to the property.
Please Note
A LIM is not a comprehensive assessment of a property. It only serves to document what information Council has about the property at the time the LIM is prepared. Any plans, aerial photographs or diagrams attached to the LIM are for illustrative purposes only and are not confirmation of the legal position of the boundaries or any services on the property. It is essential that if you have any doubts about a site, you employ a relevant independent consultant.
Due to the 1931 Earthquake and following the merging of four Councils (Hastings City, Hastings Borough, Havelock North Borough and Hawke’s Bay County) some documents were either destroyed or lost, therefore some properties lack full and accurate historical property records.
When should I obtain a LIM?
People usually request a LIM when considering whether or not to purchase residential or commercial property.
If you are considering purchasing a property in the Hastings district, it is recommended that you obtain a LIM prior to completing the purchase. A LIM can be very useful in deciding if the property is free from any restrictions and whether the intended use of the land is permitted.
How do I apply for a LIM?
To apply for a LIM you will need:
- A completed LIM Application form
- Land Information Memorandum (LIM) Application Form (PDF 57kB)
- Hard copies are available from council offices.
- Payment of the applicable fee
Please ensure all information requested is included to help us process and return the LIM to you as quickly as possible.
Processing LIMs
A LIM takes up to 10 working days to process (excluding weekends and public holidays), however your application may take less time.
What to do with your LIM
Examine the LIM closely with your lawyer and check that the information in the LIM is the same as the physical detail of the property. Conveyance lawyers know what to look for in a LIM.
- Check that any constructions or alterations have building consent. Where building consents have been issued, check that a Code Compliance Certificate has also been issued.
- If any resource consents have been issued for the property, check that consent conditions are being met.
- Check that the waste disposal system is as stated on the LIM - if the LIM tells you the property is connected to Council reticulation but you've seen a septic tank vent, confirm the situation with Council.
- Consider your future development ideas for the property. Items valued by the community - such as protected trees, archaeological sites and heritage buildings, as well as pipes and drains - may be issues you'll need to work around.
Please contact us if there is conflicting information on the LIM.
Refer to the LIMs Fact Sheet for further information.
