WHAT MAKES THIS DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL?
Richmond brings contemporary terraced home living to Mt Wellington, designed in a way to bring people together. Pocket parks, herb gardens and community events will enable Richmond to be a place where a new neighbourhood and community is built and families come together to create long lasting friendships.
WHAT AM I PURCHASING?
If you are purchasing a terraced house it is on a freehold fee simple title. If you are purchasing an apartment this will be a freehold unit title. All properties must also belong to the Richmond Residents Association.
WHAT DOES FEE SIMPLE MEAN?
Freehold Fee Simple is the most common ownership type of property in NZ and means that you own the land and the building.
WHAT DOES FREEHOLD UNIT TITLE MEAN?
Unit title ownership is common in apartment buildings. Owners own their own units (a defined part of the building) but share ownership of common areas such as foyers & hallways etc and a share of the land that it sits on. Each unit owner become part of a body corporate.
HOW MANY DWELLINGS WILL THERE BE IN THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT?
The development is designed in five stages to be rolled out over the next few years. Earthworks have now commenced for Stages 4 & 5. Masterplanning is still underway for future stages of Richmond but we expect the total number of dwellings to be over 400.
HOW LONG WILL MY HOME TAKE TO BUILD?
Each of Richmond’s development stages work on a different time line. Work in Richmond’s fourth stage ‘Fellow’ is currently underway with homes due to start being completed from Q4 2022. We expect all homes in this fourth stage to be complete by Q2 2023.
WHAT COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE?
The completed stages of Richmond already have four landscaped pocket parks including shared herb gardens and fruit trees. Future stages will also be set around shared spaces and there is also a cardio room. All these amenities will be owned and managed by the Richmond Residents Association and available for all Richmond residents to use.
WHAT HAPPENS TO RUBBISH?
There are communal rubbish areas located throughout Richmond that will be cleared several times a week. Separate bins will be provided for general waste, recycling and green waste.
WHAT OTHER SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES WILL BE IN THE HOMES?
All homes will include LED lights,
eco timers on heated towel rails and heatpumps. The homes have double glazing, well insulated, natural ventilation and good sunlight.
WHAT CAR PARKING IS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS?
All terraces in Richmond include one off street carpark or internal garage. There is street parking available for visitors on the main roads through Richmond such as Mangahoe and Tahuhu Roads.
HOW MUCH DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE?
Buyers are required to pay a 10% deposit to secure their home (20% for non-residents). The remaining payment is not required until settlement.
IS MY DEPOSIT SAFE?
Yes, your deposit is safe. It is held, on your behalf, in the trust account of the Vendor’s solicitor, Carson Fox.
WHO IS THE DEVELOPER?
The developer is Wilshire Ryburn Development Limited, a subsidiary of Wilshire Group, a privately owned New Zealand company.
CAN THE DEVELOPER MAKE VARIATIONS TO THE HOUSE PLANS FROM WHEN I PURCHASE TO SETTLEMENT?
The developer must deliver you the
same home that you agree to buy. If
during development something from the specifications is unavailable or can’t be built for some reason then the developer may change these at their discretion however it must be of a similar standard and style.
CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO THE DESIGN?
As construction is underway and consents already in place, the design and layout of the homes can’t be changed. Purchasers may choose between interior colour schemes if the construction timetable permits. Certain optional upgrades are also available to purchasers at a pre-agreed price, however some of these may be unavailable if construction progress no longer permits the change.
DOES THE DEVELOPER HAVE BUILDING WARRANTIES?
Yes, all homes will come with a builders warranty against defects and weather tightness from the builder.
Certain building materials and works (such as electrical and plumbing) are warranted by the suppliers as per their producer statements. Warranties will be provided on appliances and fit out materials used in the construction of your terrace as provided by the suppliers. These will all be outlined in the Owner’s Manual that you will receive upon settlement.
IS THE PROPERTY BUILT TO SEISMIC CODES IN NEW ZEALAND?
Yes, this is a requirement for new homes under the Building Code laws.
IS THERE A BODY CORPORATE OR RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION?
All homes in Richmond will be part of the Richmond Residents’ Association Incorporated. The terraces in Richmond are fee simple (i.e. no body corporate).
WHAT DOES A RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION DO?
The essence of a Residents’ Association is to protect the value of your home and the quality of the new developments community. A Residents’ Association does a number of different things.
Its main responsibilities are:
• Maintenance and upkeep of the communal facilities;
• Setting and collecting the levies needed to run those communal facilities, and generally enable the Association to perform its functions;
• Maintaining landscaping, lanes, services within these areas and providing other services as required. The Association also monitors and, if necessary, controls how homes look and what can be done within the Development.
• Enforcing the bylaws of the Residents’ Association Constitution.
WHAT ARE BYLAWS?
Bylaws are legally binding rules, registered with property titles, which govern the activities of members and their guests within your community. Whilst many owners are initially likely to be wary of these restrictions, just remember they are there to prevent unwanted behaviour in the community. Through the use of bylaws, property values may be more protected than if these bylaws were not present.
The Constitution and the Bylaws are available to all purchasers prior to signing an Agreement for Sale and Purchase. All Purchasers will need to read the Bylaws carefully to make sure they are comfortable with these rules and that they fit your lifestyle. Bylaws can be changed and exemptions granted, but this won’t be easy and requires approval from the Residents’ Association Committee.
CAN YOU GIVE ME EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL BYLAWS?
Potential bylaws will cover:
• High levels of design, design standards and specifications, e.g. what colour a house can be and what type of blinds can be erected in windows.
• Rules of general behaviour, setting standards and requirement to apply to the use and enjoyment for all members, e.g. restrictions around business activities operating from homes.
• How many pet’s members can have and what measures of supervision and control must be in place for those pets.
• Rules around parking and restrictions on parking.
WHO RUNS THE ASSOCIATION?
The powers and duties of the Association will be delegated to a committee made up of a small number of elected members. The committee may appoint a manager, and others, to help it with the day-to-day running of the Development. As is normal for a development such as this, during the ongoing development phase, the developer will retain control over the activities of the Association and its committee to help the overall integrity of the development.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The rates and levies for the houses are available from the developer. They are calculated using a fixed levy to homes in Richmond as well as a portion that will be calculated on the size of your home. These levies are estimated to be around $1200 per home per annum in the first few years, depending on the size of the home.
Levies will be administered by the Residents Association to maintain common facilities, infrastructure and spaces.
DO WE STILL PAY RATES TO AUCKLAND COUNCIL AS WELL?
Yes, you will still pay rates to Auckland Council however these will be reduced to acknowledge the services that are already provided from the Residents Association such as rubbish disposal.
CAN I RENT MY HOME OUT PRIVATELY?
Yes, you may rent your home out but you will need to let the Residents Association know. All members must advise the Residents Association manager when tenants move in and supply all contact details. Tenants are expected to abide by all Residents Association rules. Short term (i.e. Airbnb) are not permitted.
CAN I HAVE MY PET LIVE IN MY HOME?
Yes you may have 1 medium/large breed dog or 2 small/toy breed dogs and/or
2 domestic cats.
HOW WILL I BE KEPT INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS?
Wilshire will be sending out regular newsletters to purchasers keeping you updated with progress. We also encourage all purchasers to join our private Facebook Group which will keep you up to date with what’s happening in the area once you have moved in.
