A cross lease is a form of land ownership whereby multiple parties jointly own a parcel of land, and lease certain parts of the land back from one another (e.g. buildings and covenant areas).

Converting to freehold is a comprehensive legal and surveying process. We handle the entire project from start to finish to ensure a seamless transition.

You can view our detailed step-by-step conversion process here.

The process typically takes 4 to 6 months to complete. While the physical survey and plan preparation are relatively fast, the overall timeline is primarily determined by Auckland Council processing times for certificates and the time required to collect formal signatures from all neighbors.

A cross lease title may be defective when changes have been made to the flats and other buildings within the property that are not reflected on the Flats Plan(s). This can include the addition of new structures, changes to existing structures, and removal of existing structures.

A key concern with a defective title is that it needs to be disclosed by prospective purchasers to their bank (or other lender). This may then affect their ability to obtain lending, which can reduce the number of potential buyers and the amounts that they are able (or prepared) to pay.

Yes. Because a cross lease involves shared ownership of the land, any update to the Flats Plan requires written consent from all other owners on the title.

We understand this can be a sensitive process, so Convert My Cross Lease can help facilitate these conversations and provide the necessary documentation to ensure your neighbors feel informed and the project stays on track.

Historically, the term "flat" generally referred to the dwellings that were leased back to the respective owners on the cross lease. Other buildings could also be included on the title, often with a numeric identifier (e.g. Flat 1 and Garage 1). The term "Area" is now used under the modern terminology.

Yes - converting or updating a Cross Lease in Auckland is typically a controlled activity, meaning Council must generally grant consent but may impose conditions in relation to certain matters (e.g. infrastructure). Certain key requirements must also be maintained (or met if not already provided), such as appropriate legal and physical access).