Property Law

Buying, selling, refinancing — most of us only do it a handful of times in our lives, and each time the stakes feel high. Dawsons has been guiding East Auckland through property transactions for over half a century. Our team of lawyers and legal executives works on residential and commercial property every day, so the things that feel like big unknowns to you are familiar territory to us.

We're known for being responsive, plain-spoken, and upfront about what things cost. Most of our property clients come back to us when they buy next — and many send their kids and parents our way too.

Buying or selling your home

 
Whether you're stepping onto the property ladder, upsizing, downsizing, or moving for a new chapter of life, we make the legal side feel manageable. Common things we help with:

• Conveyancing — the legal side of buying or selling residential property

• Reviewing your sale and purchase agreement before you sign — including conditions for finance, LIM reports, builders' reports, and more

• Pre-purchase title checks so you know what you're actually buying

• Cross-lease and unit-title properties — explaining what the title type means for you, and converting cross-lease titles to fee simple or unit titles where possible

• Apartment purchases — including reviewing body corporate documents

• KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals and arranging finance

• Refinancing — switching banks or restructuring your mortgage

• Property sharing agreements — for buying with friends, family, or partners

• Building contracts — for new builds and major renovations

Investment property

We work with East Auckland investors at every scale — from a first rental through to multi-property portfolios:

• Sale and purchase of residential investments

• Ownership structure advice (held personally, in a trust, through a look-through company)

• Changes of ownership structure

• Refinancing and equity release

• Preparing and negotiating commercial leases, rent reviews and assignments

Subdivisions and developments

From a single boundary adjustment to a multi-lot residential development:

• Large multi-lot residential subdivisions

• Small private subdivisions

• Boundary adjustments

• Registering or altering easements and land covenants

• Converting cross-lease titles to fee simple or unit titles

Retirement villages

Moving into a retirement village is a significant decision, and the contracts involved are unlike any other property document. We'll walk you through your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA), explain what you're actually buying (and not buying), and make sure the contract fits your situation — including what happens with weekly fees, exit costs, and resale terms.