Buying guide

Understanding a Sale & Purchase Agreement in NZ

You can’t buy or sell a house in NZ without both parties signing a sale and purchase agreement.

Hannah Hilliam
Last updated: 28 May 2026 | 2 min read
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A Sale & Purchase Agreement is the legally binding contract for buying or selling a house in New Zealand. It's crucial to get legal advice before signing.

This document details the price, deposit, chattels, and key dates like the unconditional date and settlement date. An agreement can be conditional on factors like finance or a building report. Once conditions are met, it becomes unconditional, locking in the sale. The buyer also has the right to a pre-settlement inspection.

What is a sale and purchase agreement?

Before you sign a sale and purchase agreement, make sure you have all these things checked.

What does a sale and purchase agreement include?

Both buyers and sellers can add conditions to a sale and purchase agreement.

Conditional vs. unconditional agreements

Checking your pre-settlement obligations

What if you can’t meet the conditions?

Author

Hannah Hilliam Hannah Hilliam
Content Writer