Property Law
Unit Title Conversions
Converting a cross‑lease or existing dwelling into a unit title — including body corporate rules and unit plan preparation.
Why Convert to a Unit Title?
A unit title gives each owner their own separate legal title to their unit, plus a share in the common property — a more modern and flexible structure than a cross‑lease, and often more practical than a full freehold subdivision for multi‑unit sites.
Your Own Title
Each unit owner holds a separate, registered title to their own unit — clearer and more secure than a shared cross‑lease arrangement.
Clear Rules for Shared Spaces
Body corporate rules set out how shared driveways, gardens, and structures are maintained and paid for — removing ambiguity between neighbours.
Better Marketability
Unit titles are well understood by banks and buyers, making financing and resale more straightforward than an older or defective cross‑lease.
Fix Structural Mismatches
Where a cross‑lease title no longer matches what's built on site, converting to a unit title (with an accurate unit plan) resolves the mismatch permanently.
What You Need to Give Us
Having these ready speeds things up considerably — but don't worry if you're missing something. Send us what you have and we'll help track down the rest.
Your Contact Details
Full name, residential address, mobile number, and email address.
Your Current Title
A copy of your current cross‑lease (or other) title, if you have one. If not, we can obtain a current copy for you.
Surveyor Details
Contact details for your surveyor, if you've already engaged one to prepare the unit plan. Haven't engaged a surveyor yet? Let us know and we can point you to one experienced in unit title conversions.
Co‑Owner Contact Details
Full names, email addresses, and phone numbers for the other owner(s) on the title — everyone will need to be involved in setting up the body corporate and agreeing the rules.
Mortgage Details (if applicable)
Your lender's name and loan or account reference number. We'll need this to arrange your bank's consent to the new title structure.
Proof of Identity
Photo ID and proof of address for identity verification — a standard legal requirement for all our clients. See exactly what's needed →
💡 Not sure what you have?
Send us everything you've got — old titles, correspondence with your surveyor, body corporate paperwork if it already exists — and we'll work out what's missing.
How a Unit Title Conversion Works
Your surveyor prepares the technical plan; we prepare the legal structure that governs how owners share and manage the property.
Unit Plan Preparation
Your surveyor prepares a unit plan showing each unit and the shared "common property" (driveways, gardens, and other shared areas).
Council Approval
The unit plan is lodged with Council for approval, confirming it accurately reflects what's built on site.
Body Corporate Rules
We prepare the body corporate rules setting out how shared spaces are maintained, insured, and paid for, and how decisions are made between owners.
Owner Agreement & Mortgagee Consent
All owners must agree to the conversion and sign the required documents. If there are mortgages, we arrange each lender's consent.
Registration at LINZ
We lodge all documents with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and the new unit titles are issued, cancelling the old cross‑lease title.
💬 What will this cost?
Unit title conversions vary significantly depending on the number of units, whether body corporate rules already exist, and the complexity of the shared areas involved. Because of this variation, we don't publish a headline fee for this service — but we're happy to give you a clear, written estimate once we understand your property. Tell us about your property →
Common Questions
A cross‑lease gives each owner a leasehold interest in their flat plus a share in the underlying freehold land. A unit title gives each owner a genuine separate title to their unit, plus a defined share in the common property — generally considered a clearer and more modern structure.
Yes. All owners on the existing title must agree to the conversion and the resulting body corporate rules, since it replaces the shared ownership arrangement with a new legal structure.
No. A freehold conversion gives you complete, standalone ownership with no shared body corporate. A unit title still involves shared common property and body corporate rules — it's most often used for two‑unit properties (such as duplexes) or multi‑unit sites where a full freehold subdivision isn't practical.
Your lender's consent is required before the new unit title can be registered. We arrange this as part of the process for you and any co‑owners.
Timeframes depend on Council processing, the complexity of the unit plan, and how quickly all owners and any lenders sign the required documents. We'll give you a realistic timeframe once we understand your property.
Considering a Unit Title Conversion?
Every unit title conversion is different. Tell us about your property and we'll explain the process and give you a clear, written estimate — no obligation.
Comparing Your Options?
Not sure whether a unit title, cross‑lease update, or full freehold conversion is right for your property? We can talk you through the differences.
Learn About Freehold Conversions →Just Need a Title Update?
If your cross‑lease just needs updating to reflect building changes — without changing to a unit title — this may be simpler and cheaper.
View Cross‑Lease Updates →Already instructed us?
If you're ready to get started, click below and we'll get your file open straight away. We'll confirm who you are — a quick legal requirement we must follow.
I want you to act for me →