Address when lodging
An address for service for a caveator is required when a caveat is first lodged.
The address given may be:
- a street address including postcode
- a PO Box or Private Bag number and postcode, or
- an email address.
The address for service is the address that we will use to contact the caveator and provide any legal notices in the future, including if an application to lapse the caveat is made by the registered owner or another person.
When a notice to lapse is given, there is only a short timeframe for a caveator to act to prevent the caveat from being removed from a title. Caveators and their practitioners should carefully consider what the most appropriate or convenient address for service would be, whether that it a firm’s PO Box or email address, or the caveator’s own address, to ensure that they are able to respond in time.
Practitioners are encouraged to keep a record of any caveat which has their firm’s address for service. If contact details for the firm change it will be necessary to for the caveator or their practitioner to change the address for service.
Changing the address for service
If a caveator wishes to change their address for service, they can do so by notifying us of the new address in writing by:
- creating a “Titles Information” request in the Landonline workspace if they are an e-dealing user
- emailing customersupport@linz.govt.nz, or
- posting or couriering it to our Christchurch or Hamilton offices.
The notice should include details of the property which is subject to the caveat, for example title reference or address.
Changing the address for service when a caveator has died
If a caveator dies while a caveat is in force, the caveator’s legal personal representative (for example, the executor or administrator of their estate) may notify us of a change of address.
The notification should include evidence confirming the appointment of the caveator’s legal personal representative in the form of a statutory declaration that would typically support an application for transmission, and evidence of death.
Change of address for service cannot be made during lapsing process
We cannot change the address for service of a caveator if an application to lapse a caveat has been received.