LIM report: what it covers and how to read it
What a council LIM tells you, what it leaves out and how to read it before you buy.
- A LIM is the council's summary of what it knows about a property.What does LIM mean?A LIM (land information memorandum) is a report from the local council about the property, such as its rates and what the council's records hold on it. settled.govt.nz (Te Kāhui Kāinga Ora / REA): Understanding the sale and purchase agreement A property file is the fuller record.
- Read hazards first, then consents, notices and zoning. Look for consents with no Code Compliance Certificate.
- Active notices and some resource consents stay with the property, so ask about each one.
- A LIM does not cover private neighbour deals, workmanship, body corporate matters or most private easements.
- If the LIM raises questions, ask the council to see the property file, and ask your lawyer to explain what you find.
Check the details. Check anything unclear in the LIM with the council that issued it, your lawyer and a building inspector.
Shortened from a Berry article first written 2026-05-16. Figures we could not check against a public source were taken out. This is general information, not advice.