LIMs

A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a document prepared by the Council to help provide useful information to those buying or selling property. A buyer will gain additional information, which might help their decision making process; a seller might benefit by being better equipped to answer questions from potential buyers.

The information covered within a LIM is normally more detailed than what can be viewed on a property file alone. It includes checks by various Council departments and aims to tell you what you might want to know before buying a property. It is a desktop assessment of the property and does not involve a site visit.

In 2016 the Council changed its LIM process to provide a more thorough and useful document than what was previously produced. This change resulted in an award being presented to Council from the Association of Local Government Information Management.

 

Applying for a LIM online

1. All completed applications received after noon will be lodged but the statutory timeframe will not start until the following working day.
2. Make sure that you have the correct address, because we cannot give you a refund. Use Invercargill Maps to make sure that you are right.
3. No invoice will be generated from this online process unless you are a registered user.
4. Click the link to start an online LIM application

 

Applying by downloaded form

You can also apply for a LIM by downloading and completing a printable form.

 

What’s in a LIM?

Our LIMs have six sections as outlined below:

Property information: This covers things such as the title, property size, easements, shared services or driveways and information which may relate to rates owning in relation to the land.
Special features and characteristics of the land: This section is done by our Resource Management team and provides information on ground and site conditions such as liquefaction, seismic information, subsidence, erosion and flooding risk. It also provides information relating to the property in terms of resource consents and the Invercargill District Plan.

Works and Services: This is completed by our Engineering team and provides information on Council’s stormwater and sewerage drains as well as private drainage connection information where known. It also gives information on the drinking water where the property is connected to the Council’s water supply.

Building: Our Building Services team will summarize permits and building consents which have been issued for this property. Any that are not signed off will be identified as well as any notices or compliance matters that are outstanding. For commercial property if the building is subject to a Building Warrant of Fitness this will be identified. If there has been a building notified as being a ‘leaky building’ through the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006 then this will also be identified. Copies of floor plans and drainage plans will be provided where these are on file.

Environmental: The Environmental Health team will outline any alcohol or health licences applicable to the property. They will also identify if there are any compliance matters against the property such as overgrown sections or noise issues.

Other information, explanatory notes and attachments: This relates to items such as Environment Southland’s clean air areas, rubbish and recycling information and any other information which the Council considers, at its discretion, to be relevant.

 

Property Files

Council is working to digitise its property files and recently made the change to providing scan-on-demand digital copies of our property files. 

Due to high demand, we have reconfigured how we are providing this service. 

We have created a dual approach to supplying this information that will reduce the level of impact on staff.  

The way you request a property file will not change. However, once your request is received, we will let you know, by email or phone, whether the requested information will be made available digitally or if it will be able to be viewed as a physical copy. 

We will let you know how your requested file will be made available to you within one working day.   

If the file is scanned, we will have the requested file available to you within three working days.   

Otherwise, we will advise you when your paper file is available for viewing at the CAB. 

This dual system will come into effect from Thursday, 1 December 2022 

The process for requesting a Property File remains the same.  Customers can request a property file by: 

  • Phoning Customer Services on 03 2111 777