How Much Does a Property Lawyer Cost in New Zealand?
Property lawyers in NZ charge $1,200-2,500 for a standard house purchase. This comprehensive guide covers conveyancing fees, settlement costs, and how to find the best value for your property transaction.
Quick Answer: Property Lawyer Costs 2026
- House purchase: $1,200-2,500 (standard residential)
- House sale: $800-1,500
- Hourly rate: $300-600/hour
- Refinance: $600-1,000
- LIM report review: $300-500
- Subdivision: $2,500-8,000+
Property Lawyer Hourly Rates in NZ
While most conveyancing is charged as a fixed fee, property lawyers set rates based on experience:
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Junior Lawyer (0-5 years) | $300-400 |
| Intermediate (5-10 years) | $400-500 |
| Senior/Partner (10+ years) | $500-600 |
| Property Law Specialist | $550-700+ |
Cost by Property Transaction Type
House Purchase (Buying a Home)
The most common property transaction. Legal costs include:
- Standard residential purchase: $1,200-2,000
- First home buyer: $1,200-1,800 (some offer first-home discounts)
- Complex purchase (trust, company): $2,000-3,500
- Cross-lease or unit title: $1,500-2,500
- Rural property: $2,000-4,000
Your lawyer will review the sale and purchase agreement, conduct title searches, check for encumbrances, liaise with your bank, and manage the settlement process.
House Sale (Selling a Property)
Selling is typically simpler than buying:
- Standard residential sale: $800-1,200
- Sale with mortgage discharge: $900-1,500
- Cross-lease or unit title: $1,000-1,500
- Sale of tenanted property: $1,000-1,800
Refinancing
Switching banks or restructuring your mortgage:
- Simple refinance (same bank): $400-600
- Refinance with new lender: $600-1,000
- Refinance with additional security: $800-1,200
Subdivisions
Creating new titles requires significant legal work:
- Simple subdivision (2 lots): $2,500-4,000
- Multi-lot subdivision: $5,000-8,000
- Complex subdivision with easements: $8,000-15,000+
Commercial Property
Business property transactions involve more complexity:
- Commercial purchase: $2,500-6,000
- Commercial lease review: $800-2,000
- Commercial sale: $2,000-4,500
- Industrial property: $3,000-8,000
Additional Costs Beyond Lawyer Fees
Settlement and Search Fees
These are typically passed on to you at cost:
- LINZ registration fee: $55.20 per dealing
- Title search: $5 per title
- Company search: $10-15
- LIM report: $200-400 (paid to council)
- Builder's report: $400-800 (separate contractor)
- Bank processing fees: Varies by lender
What's Included in Conveyancing Fees?
A standard property purchase fee typically covers:
- Reviewing and explaining the sale and purchase agreement
- Title searches and checking for encumbrances
- Reviewing LIM reports and identifying issues
- Liaising with your bank for mortgage documentation
- Preparing settlement statements
- Attending to settlement (transferring funds and titles)
- Registering the mortgage with LINZ
- Post-settlement follow-up and record keeping
The NZ Settlement Process
Understanding the settlement process helps you understand what your lawyer does:
- Agreement signed: Your lawyer reviews before you sign (recommended) or after
- Due diligence: LIM review, title searches, building report coordination
- Conditions satisfied: Finance confirmed, building report reviewed
- Pre-settlement: Final inspection, settlement statement prepared
- Settlement day: Funds transferred, title registered, keys released
- Post-settlement: Rates adjusted, utility transfers confirmed
Ways to Reduce Property Law Costs
Money-Saving Tips
- Get quotes from multiple lawyers: Conveyancing fees vary significantly - get at least 3 quotes
- Ask for fixed fees upfront: Avoid hourly billing surprises by confirming total cost
- Bundle transactions: Buying and selling? Ask for a package deal
- Use the same lawyer as your bank: Some banks have panel lawyers with discounted rates
- Be organised: Have all documents ready to minimise back-and-forth
- Review agreements before signing: Getting advice before can prevent costly issues later
- Consider regional lawyers: CBD firms often charge more than suburban practices
Auckland vs Regional Pricing
Property lawyer fees vary by location across New Zealand:
- Auckland CBD: $1,500-2,500 (10-20% premium)
- Auckland suburban: $1,200-2,000
- Wellington: $1,400-2,200
- Christchurch: $1,100-1,800
- Hamilton/Tauranga: $1,000-1,700
- Regional towns: $900-1,500
When Do You Pay Your Property Lawyer?
Payment arrangements vary:
- Deposit on instruction: Some lawyers request $500-1,000 upfront
- At settlement: Most common - fees deducted from settlement proceeds
- Invoice after settlement: Some allow 7-14 days to pay after completion
Always clarify payment terms before engaging a lawyer.
LIM Reports and Due Diligence
Understanding what your lawyer reviews:
- LIM report review: $300-500 for lawyer analysis of council information
- Title search analysis: Usually included in conveyancing fee
- Building consent review: Checking for unconsented work
- Covenant and easement explanation: Critical for cross-leases
- Zoning and development potential: Important for future plans
Special Situations That Cost More
Some transactions require additional legal work:
- Deceased estate purchase: Additional probate checks (+$300-500)
- Overseas buyer: OIO consent requirements (+$500-2,000)
- Trust purchase: Trust deed review and setup (+$500-1,000)
- Relationship property issues: Consent requirements (+$300-800)
- Contaminated land issues: Environmental search costs (+$200-500)
- Tenanted property: Tenancy agreement review (+$200-400)
Questions to Ask Your Property Lawyer
Before engaging a conveyancing lawyer, ask:
- What is your total fixed fee for this transaction?
- What disbursements (search fees, etc.) will I pay on top?
- Are there any situations where additional fees apply?
- Who will handle my file - you or a staff member?
- How do you communicate updates - email, phone, portal?
- What happens if settlement is delayed?
- When and how do I pay?
- Do you have experience with [specific situation]?
Conveyancing vs Full-Service Property Lawyer
Understanding your options:
- Conveyancing-only services: Lower cost ($900-1,500), focus on standard transactions
- Full-service property lawyer: Higher cost ($1,200-2,500+), handles complex issues and can advise on negotiations
For straightforward purchases, conveyancing services are usually sufficient. For complex transactions, investment properties, or if issues arise during due diligence, a full-service property lawyer provides better value.