Non Residents Banned from Buying Property in New Zealand

Nonresidents can no longer buy houses in New Zealand
Australians and Singaporeans exempt from the new rule
Bill introduced to help make housing more affordable for New Zealand citizens

Buying Property in New Zealand can be tricky for expats in the country.

New Zealand is a popular expat destination. New Zealand citizens are very friendly and welcoming but the government policies may not favor migrants as much. The New Zealand parliament recently made a change in its policies regarding property purchases by immigrants.

This is known as the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill. Now, foreigners will face restrictions in buying Property in New Zealand.

Current Housing Situation in New Zealand

In June 2018, 82% of the houses in New Zealand were bought by residents while 3% were bought by foreigners. In central Auckland, foreigners bought up to 22% of the homes on sale. This included Chinese investors and some wealthy Americans.

Over the past 10 years, the average prices of homes have increased by over 60%. In Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, the prices of homes have almost doubled. In July, the median price for a home in New Zealand was about NZ $550,000.

Who is Affected by this Ban?

Singaporeans and Australians in New Zealand are exempt from this rule because of the free-trade deals between the countries. Foreigners with residency status are also exempt from this rule. Non-residents can still make limited investments in new apartments being constructed by large developments. Foreigners who already own homes in New Zealand will not be affected by this new rule.

Why has this Bill been Passed?

New Zealand is currently facing a housing affordability crisis. A rising number of immigrants buying homes, limited availability of houses and low-interest rates have made houses more expensive over the years. This has made owning a house very difficult for a majority of the population.

By introducing this new rule, the government hopes to improve the New Zealand citizen’s chances of owning a home and helps ensure that they are not outbid by wealthier foreign investors.