Wellington City Council reveals information brokers can pass to clients
The Wellington City Council is calling on New Zealand first-home buyers (FHBs) and builders to take advantage of a $5000 rates remission.
The remission, which will reduce the amount FHBs have to pay in a rates year, is available to those buying a newly constructed home, an apartment off the plans or for those building their own home. It is only for FHBs, the council stated.
“This is for Wellingtonians wanting to buy their first house, and to encourage first-home buyers to think about making our beautiful city their home,” says Mayor Justin Lester. “As the leaders of this city, it’s important the council is doing something tangible to help people own their own homes and to incentivise new construction supply in Wellington.”
Other details as outlined by the Wellington City Council are as follows:
- Together with KiwiSaver Homestart grants, a qualified individual could be entitled to $15,000, or a couple up to $25,000;
- A remission, up to a maximum of $5000 (including GST) on a new residential dwelling, may be granted where construction is completed after July 01, 2017, within the boundaries of Wellington City Council;
- Applications can be made after code of compliance has been issued for the building consent;
- Applications must be made before the beginning of the rating year (July 1);
- Successful applications will have the remission applied from the beginning of the following year. No applications will be backdated.
According to the council, the remission was approved last year. To date, the council has received 18 applications.
“We know there are more out there and I encourage all those buying or building a first home to check if they are eligible,” says Lester.
Wellington City Council housing portfolio leader Councillor Brian Dawson stated: “Housing can’t just be left to fix itself, so we need to be innovative.”
“We’ve developed an affordability tool to ensure fairness, we’re working on CBD conversions, we’re partnering with the government to tackle homelessness and in the coming months the public will see more work we’ve been doing as we finalise our 10-Year Plan.”
