Residential Land 

On Thursday 23 June 2011 the government announced its plan for those residential customers with properties affected by the Canterbury earthquakes.

Over 200,000 properties in Canterbury were assessed by GeoTech engineering company Tonkin & Taylor. They compiled extensive engineering data and made recommendations to the Government on the appropriate way to be able to move forward. These recommendations involved dividing all of greater Christchurch land divided into four residential zones – red, orange, green and white, based on the condition of the damage sustained.

Land zones

To find out what zone your client’s property is in, enter their residential address into the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) website www.landcheck.org.nz.

You will also be able to download a fact sheet on what the zoning means, or click here for Green, Orange, Red or White zone information.

Residents can also contact the Government helpline if they are unable to access the website (0800 779 997).

Government offer

For people who owned property with insurance in the residential red zones on 3 September 2010 there will be two options:

• the Crown makes an offer of purchase for the entire property at current rating value (less any built property insurance payments already made), and assumes all the insurance claims other than contents; or
• the Crown makes an offer of purchase for the land only, and homeowners can continue to deal with their own insurer about their homes.

All insured home owners living in the residential red zone whose properties were damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury since 4 September 2010 will be offered these options.

The varying degrees of damage to the houses and land in the residential red zone means it will take more time to develop these offers.

 Further information is also available on the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)'s website www.cera.govt.nz.