What is a caveat on a property title?

A caveat is a formal notice lodged with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) that acts as a 'stop' sign on a property title, preventing the owner from selling or mortgaging it without the caveator's consent.

To lodge one, you must have a legal 'caveatable interest', such as a signed sale agreement, an agreement to mortgage, or a claim under the Property (Relationships) Act.

While it protects a claim, lodging a caveat without proper grounds can lead to liability for financial losses.