Convex Mirror: 1 June 2023
Got to challenge the status quo and pressure for better efficiency even for the smallest of processes.
Auckland Council required me to install a convex mirror and one way sign for my development’s drive and place a covenant on the title for that.
The requirements are good including the covenant as it is visible to future owners. No issues with that now that I understand it.
The process to execute was ridiculous and is a powerful (albeit tiny) example of the absolute inefficiency in the Auckland property development scene.
So…. for a $200 installation:
STEP 1: engage Monitoring South
STEP 2: Monitoring South email and connect their solicitors to me STEP 3: I connect my solicitor to their solicitor
STEP 4: Their solicitor requires an undertaking from my solicitor that I will pay $850 + disbursements (+GST) for the process
STEP 5: My solicitor requires me to deposit those funds into their account
STEP 6: My solicitor will then prepare, at my cost, an undertaking that I will pay the council’s solicitor’s fee
Legal fees probably now sitting at $1,200 + disbursements + GST Ridiculous…
So, I begin a post box discussion asking why I can not merely pay in advance?
- Hold on emailer – we will contact our solicitor…. yes they agree… our solicitor’s will invoice your solicitor
- Thank-you…now… why can’t your solicitor invoice me directly so I can pay directly?
Whoop whoop… they agree….
Worth challenging the ‘accepted and entrenched’ status-quo!
This cost me about $500 in my work-time value, although, not really, because I was so frustrated, it was a cool-down exercise… (but it did save me from spending $300 on consultant fees in challenging the process earlier on – had I been more knowledgeable on the implications).
This was a matter of principle for me as an in-fill developer… why must these things be so convolutedly difficult… it is just a sensible little covenant to go on a kinky driveway…..
