Shining the light on unit titles

Body corporate disputes, unruly apartment tenants, communal space obligations: unit title property ownership can be a minefield.

The recent case of an upmarket Grey Lynn apartment complex struggling to deal with the alleged behaviour and crimes of a gang member tenant highlights the difficulties which can arise.

But problems and confusion around unit title property – ie: apartment or townhouse – ownership abound, despite the existence of legislation governing the sector since the 1970s.

And they are set to grow as the intensification of housing in New Zealand sees an increase in the number of people living in apartments and townhouses.