“Subdividing” is where land is divided and separate legal title is established for each of the new sections that are created. A separate title is established by the District Land Registrar issuing a certificate of title (in the Land Titles Office at Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)), after receiving an application and a subdivision plan.

There are various reasons why you might want to subdivide your property. It may be that your residential section is now too big for your needs, or you may own a farm that is capable of being subdivided into lifestyle blocks. Your section may have been re-zoned, so that you are now permitted to subdivide.

If you’re considering subdividing your property, you’ll need to consult Gulab who is experienced in this field to examine, first, whether subdivision is permitted and, second, whether it’s feasible. This will involve searching the legal title to your property and examining the District Plan that applies to your property (see below).

The subdivision Consents process is lengthy and involved. However, the following is an overview of the likely steps:

• obtaining a resource consent from your local council
• preparing a survey plan
• the sealing of your plan by your local council
• lodging the subdivision plan with Land Information New Zealand
• the approval of the plan by LINZ
• lodging the new titles with the Land Titles Office at LINZ