PHOTO: Meridian Energy
Two property buyers in Eketāhuna are alleging that they were given inaccurate information about Meridian Energy’s planned wind farm on the hill behind their homes. Despite this, Harcourts, Hamill Realty contends that its agent made all necessary disclosures during the property transactions.
John Maxwell, who purchased land on Hall Rd in Hastwell, Mt Munro in late 2021, claims he only learned about Meridian’s project the day before receiving his building consent in December of the same year. His neighbor informed him about the proposed development, prompting Maxwell to obtain an information flyer from Meridian the following day. Feeling that his purchased property would be unsuitable if the wind farm proceeded, Maxwell had to cancel his development plans, incurring a financial loss of around $15,000.
Maxwell alleged that the real estate agent, when asked about the wind farm, gestured in the wrong direction, failing to accurately convey the project’s location. Handwritten on Maxwell’s purchase agreement was a note about Genesis Energy’s interest in a wind farm on the neighboring hill, which he found misleading when searching for information about Genesis and wind farms.
Two residents who have bought recent properties in Mt Munro claim they were not well informed about the potential wind farm plans. PHOTO/BELLA CLEARY
Another recent buyer in Mt Munro, who chose to remain anonymous, echoed similar concerns. She claims the real estate agent vaguely mentioned a wind farm as a Genesis project but failed to provide sufficient details. She only learned about Meridian’s plans a week after signing the sale papers through a news story. Like Maxwell, she found a handwritten note on her purchase documentation about Genesis’s interest in a wind farm, which she now realizes pertains to a different development, the Castle Hill wind farm.
Both buyers feel misled and are contemplating seeking resolution through the Real Estate Authority [REA] and the disputes tribunal. They argue that the Real Estate Authority’s principles of disclosure emphasize the importance of not misleading customers or withholding information.
Harcourts Wairarapa managing director Prue Hamill responded to the allegations, stating that the necessary disclosures were made by Harcourts’ agent. Meridian’s head of renewable energy development, Rebecca Knott, declined to confirm whether the company had informed Harcourts about its proposed wind farm in mid-2021, asserting that property deals are a matter between real estate agents and their clients.
The Real Estate Authority NZ recommends that prospective buyers proactively check the neighborhood, talk to neighbors, and contact councils to inquire about any potential new developments.
SOURCE: WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE