LIM process now entirely online

While the fee for receiving this information has not changed, the new electronic reports provide far greater flexibility for customers.

The Far North District Council has completed the system changes needed to make the Land

Information Memorandum (LIM) process - from requesting reports, payment and delivery - available online

That, the council said last week, made getting information easier, quicker and better for the environment.

A LIM report summarises all information held by the council on a particular property, often including building and resource consents, information on land hazards, rates and rating valuations, district plan information, and details about heritage or archaeological items, usually running to many pages, and traditionally printed off and posted.

LIM requests consumed up to seven boxes of A4 paper every week, at a cost of more than $10,000 a year, not counting printing, postage and transport costs.

Mayor John Carter said customers would see significant advantages with the online system.

“While the fee for receiving this information has not changed, the new electronic reports provide far greater flexibility for customers.

They can be shared easily and quickly with builders, real estate agents or property buyers, and can also be transported and viewed more easily on electronic devices,” he said.

The early indications from a “soft launch” of the new online reports were that those working in the property industry had been quick to embrace the electronic format.

“This change was not only desirable but inevitable,” he said.

“I think ratepayers will be pleased that our expanding suite of digital services is making it easier to do business with us and is reducing our carbon footprint at the same time.”

Friday would be the last day for lodging a paper-based LIM application, with only online applications to be accepted after that.

Anyone who was unable to lodge an online LIM request could do so at any council service centre.

They would need to provide a copy of the Certificate of Title (available from Land Information New Zealand), which they could email (to ask.us@fndc.govt.nz) so staff could lodge the request on their behalf.