The range of covenants can be long

As an example, the Beachgrove development in Kaiapoi has a list of restrictions that included:

■ Any structure that wasn’t approved in writing by the developer

■ Requirements to adhere to the site plan, concept plan, landscaping plan, fencing plan, and exterior colour schemes

■ Any relocatable, pre-built or kit- set building or any second-hand materials other than second-hand recycled bricks

■ A roof constructed from anything other than slate, tile or a pre- coloured steel product

■ Any unpainted metal surface or copper spouting or downpipes

■ Visible signs except developer and real estate signs

■ Any clothesline or clothes drying apparatus that may be visible from the street frontage.

■ Caravans, campervans or similar for overnight sleeping or accommodation

■ Unapproved letterboxes or ones that are MORE THAN 1.5M HIGH OR 500MM WIDE

■ Any satellite dish with a diameter greater than 0.7m or is visible from the street frontage of the property

■ Use of any area on the property during construction for toileting by workers except in a portable toilet facility

■ Use or allowing the property to be used for any illegal, offensive or noisy activities

■ Permitting the property to become untidy or overgrown or allowing rubbish to accumulate

■ Keeping livestock or animals other than domestic pets on the property

■ Keeping certain breeds of dogs or dangerous dogs

■ Parking unsightly vehicles, plant or equipment on the road reserve.