Guide
Firstpass vs a council LIM
Two different tools for two different stages of due diligence.
The map vs the filing cabinet
Think of Firstpass as the map half of due diligence. We intersect your property parcel against publicly available hazard GIS layers — flood, coastal, liquefaction, tsunami, and faults. It takes minutes and costs NZ$49.
A council LIM is the filing cabinet half. It pulls together everything the council knows about a specific property from their records: building consents, code compliance certificates, drainage connections, rates, requisitions, notices, and any known unconsented work. It takes days and costs ~NZ$345+ from your local council.
When to use each
Use Firstpass when…
- Browsing listings on Trade Me
- Shortlisting properties to view
- Deciding if a LIM is worth the cost
- You want hazard info in minutes, not days
Get a LIM when…
- You are seriously buying
- Your lawyer requests it
- You need consent history
- You need drainage and rates info
Side by side
| Firstpass | Council LIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | NZ$49 — instant | ~NZ$345+ — council LIM (varies by property) |
| Turnaround | Minutes | 5–10 working days (local council) |
| Natural hazard overlays | Live GIS intersection against GWRC + council layers, explained in plain English | Yes — council must disclose known natural hazards on the property file |
| District plan zoning | Hazard overlays from your local council GIS | Yes — confirmed legal zone and plan rules |
| Building consents & code compliance | No | Yes — full consent history |
| Drainage & stormwater infrastructure | No | Yes — connections, easements, council assets |
| Rates, notices & requisitions | No | Yes |
| Unconsented work | No | May be flagged if on council file |
| Legal weight | Informational first pass — not a LIM | Official council document relied on in property transactions |
The bottom line
Firstpass is not a replacement for a LIM. It is a cheap, fast filter that helps you avoid spending NZ$345+ and waiting a week on a property that sits in a flood zone you were not prepared for.
If Firstpass flags hazards and you still want to proceed, that is exactly when you need the LIM — plus your lawyer, building inspector, and insurer.