The government is closing the loophole on loss attributing qualifying companies (LAQCs), a favoured property investment vehicle, by aligning the tax rates between the structures' deductions and profits.

Property investors will face greater scrutiny from the tax department after the government confirmed it will remove depreciation write-offs for buildings.

Changes to the tax treatment of investment property increase fairness and help rebalance the economy towards productive investment, Finance Minister Bill English and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne say.

New Zealand investor confidence in rental property has cooled in the past three months, and the popularity of other investment classes is gaining momentum, according to the latest ASB Investor Confidence Report.

The government has taken a "giant step in the right direction" when it announced today it would increase the amount it is prepared to contribute towards repair costs for leaky home owners.

Otago property investors are hesitant to participate in a voluntary scheme to star rank properties.

Residential real estate sales fell 15% in April as the housing market remains subdued with the government's upcoming budget expected to bring in tax changes for property investors, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data.

Find out what's happening in your area below.

Student accommodation in Dunedin continues to underpin residential property values in the city, according to new research.

Labour says the government has watered down a bill which regulates residential tenancies and is wanting some changes before it is passed by Parliament.

Average sales prices declined in April, although are still substantially above last year's prices, according to Quotable Value's (QV) latest statistics. Find out exactly what's happening in the six main regions in the story below.

Market confidence and the predicted direction for prices are proving an issue to buyers, HNZ completes the rollout of a new scheme that will benefit landlords and Finance Minister Bill English invites comment about tax changes that will affect property investors.

Auckland house sales fell last month, coming off a stronger track in March, suggesting property investors are becoming tentative ahead of the 2010 budget, which will curb tax breaks.

New Zealand mortgagee sales held near their 2009 highs and may rise, showing the property market's sluggish recovery, according to Terralink.

New Zealand residential building consents fell for the third month in four in March, underlining the tepid pace of recovery in a housing market that is facing tighter tax rules and less activity from developers.

The property market continues to deteriorate, according to the Mike Pero Mortgages/Infometrics Property Cycle Indicator (PCI).