What are Project Information Memorandums and Land Information Memorandums? How do they differ? When do you need them and how do you apply for them?

PIMs and LIMs – what’s the difference?

PIMs and LIMs are both issued by your local council, for a fee, and as you can see from the table below, they often appear to be providing the same information. They include information the council considers relevant to your building project. The main difference is that the PIM is specific to a proposed project – hence the name Project Information Memorandum. Whereas the Land Information Memorandum (LIM) gives information on the council’s files on land and buildings that already exist.

Project Information Memorandum (PIM)	Land Information Memorandum (LIM)
Required under the Building Act	Required under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Can only be applied for by someone who is planning a specific project and may need a building consent (by applying for building consent you will be treated as applying for a PIM also, if you have not already done so)	Can be applied for by anyone at any time – an application for building consent not needed
The application needs to describe the project in detail	Apply in writing to your local council (some councils accept email applications)
Provides details on special features of the site for use in the design of the building (if not already considered by the designer)	Can be used for any purpose e.g. to see if building consents were issued for a house or renovations
It may tell you about: protection of the land or buildings, for example, by the Historic Places Trust the location of services, such as water and waste systems on the site and adjoining land land details such as ground stability, geological history, areas that have been filled, or have been unstable or if there is any risk of flooding permitted footpath crossing points district plan non-compliances	It may tell you about: records of stormwater or sewage drains protection of buildings, for example, by the Historic Places Trust information on public and private waste systems on the site special land features such as erosion, flooding any rates owing on the land any permits, consents or requisitions, or other certificates previously issued by the local council zoning and the use to which the land may be put and any conditions applying any notices to the council by any statutory organisation that has the power to classify land or buildings for any purpose any notices to the council given by any network utility operator under the Building Act 1991 any other information that the council thinks relevant

Applying for a PIM

A PIM provides information about the work site that may have an effect on the work, for example, planning restrictions, the location of stormwater drains and ground conditions.

You can apply for a PIM at the preliminary design stage of the project or at the same time as you apply for building consent. If you apply for a building consent without applying for a PIM, your consent application will be treated as including an application for a PIM.

Applying for a LIM

You can apply for a LIM at any time, but it is essential when you are thinking of buying a section.

To get a LIM you apply to your local council. Ask them for an application form or download it off your council's website. You may have to provide a copy of the certificate of title and there is a fee which varies depending on the council and the property involved. The council must produce the LIM within 10 working days.

For more information about LIMs, see LIMs & council files.