Short answer
Yes. If the EQC repairs have been done properly and you have the sign-offs and the receipts for the completed work, it doesn't matter whether your home is on TC2 or TC3 land. We'll have no problem selling it.
"We're on TC3 and we've had EQC repairs. Is that going to be a problem?"
It's one of the first questions sellers ask me. My answer is always the same: the land category isn't what decides your sale. The paperwork is.
A real sale with EQC history
I recently sold a home on Farquhars Road in Redwood with EQC history. The owners had done all the repairs and kept everything: receipts, sign-offs, the lot.
I told them it would be an easy sale, because the hard part was already done. We took it to auction and sold it in three weeks.
Where TC3 is, and who's buying
TC3 land isn't just an east-side thing. I see it in:
- The east and south-east: Shirley, New Brighton, Parklands, Dallington, Woolston and Bromley.
- Merivale and Fendalton: two of Christchurch's most sought-after suburbs, where homes sell for millions of dollars.
If TC3 stopped homes from selling, Merivale and Fendalton wouldn't be the premium suburbs they are.
On the east side, first-home buyers are active right now, usually looking for three bedrooms. Buyers who want a coastal lifestyle are looking around New Brighton.
Banks, insurance and solicitors
Solicitors and banks are usually fine with TC3. A buyer's solicitor will point out that the land is TC3, which is simply part of their job.
Banks are a little more cautious, and it comes down to insurance. In my experience, insurance options on TC3 are limited and premiums are higher. But once the buyer has insurance in place, the bank will approve their finance.
Two mistakes to avoid
1. Not keeping receipts for repairs
Many owners took a cash payout from EQC and fixed things themselves, then didn't keep the receipts. Without them, a buyer can't see what was done or who did it. Keep every invoice, sign-off and completion certificate.
2. Not asking for the deed of assignment
Most sellers have never heard of a deed of assignment (DOA). It passes the rights to your EQC claim on to the next owner, so if they ever feel the work wasn't done properly, they can reopen the claim. That gives buyers real peace of mind. Your solicitor will confirm exactly what applies to your claim.
What to do before you sell
- Gather your receipts. If you did the repairs yourself, find every invoice you can.
- Request your EQC file. If Fletcher did the work, call Toka Tū Ake on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) and ask for everything they hold on your property.
- Ask for the deed of assignment and the completion receipts at the same time.
- Let your agent check it. I order the EQC file myself as soon as I list, every time, even when the seller already has the paperwork. Nothing gets missed, and buyers see the full picture from day one.
How this fits the Sam & Co. Method
This is vendor peace of mind, pillar 5 of the Sam & Co. Method. You shouldn't have to chase paperwork or worry that a buyer will walk away over a missing receipt. I order the EQC file, go through it and have the answers ready before buyers ask, so you can focus on your move.
On TC3 land, or have EQC history? Let's talk it through.
Book a free appraisal and I'll tell you what your home is worth and what paperwork you'll need to sell it with confidence. No cost, no obligation. Or call me on 020 451 5077.
Book my free appraisalCommon questions
Isn't TC3 land bad because you need stronger foundations?
TC3 doesn't mean a home is unsafe. Homes built or repaired on TC3 land since the earthquakes have to meet engineered foundation standards, so whether it's TC1, TC2 or TC3, what matters is the quality of the work and the paperwork behind it.
Was there any structural damage to the property?
I order the full EQC file from Toka Tū Ake for every listing and send it to buyers, so they can see exactly what damage there was and how it was fixed.
Has all the EQC work been done properly?
The EQC file shows the work that was done, with the sign-offs and completion paperwork. I send buyers the whole file so they can check for themselves.
About Sam Singh
Sam is a Christchurch listing specialist with Harcourts Gold, selling across Christchurch and Canterbury, and the creator of the Sam & Co. Method. He speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi.