NZIV Member Update #9 - 

MBIE Advice On Valuation As An Essential Service


21 April 2020
 

Dear Member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers,

As you will be aware the New Zealand Institute of Valuers has been continuing to communicate with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment on the status of valuation as an essential service.

Late yesterday, we received some new advice from MBIE which changes its earlier statements to us.  The main points are as follows

  • "Valuation services may be carried out under the level four alert period where they are necessary for the continued operation of an essential business or service (i.e. for court proceedings, essential financial institutions etc."
  • Valuers must use their good judgment as to what services they can offer during Alert Level 4, (we recommend Valuers remind themselves of our Code of Ethics - Point 1.2).
  • Valuers must follow guidance on the Essential Services website
  • Even where essential, valuation services should be carried out remotely if this is possible, and non-essential valuations should be deferred until Level Three

 
Below and attached we have republished the MBIE Communication in full as members may want to print it out and have it with them if they are on 'essential' business.

New Zealand Institute of Valuers Council


From: EssentialEscalations <EssentialEscalations@mbie.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, 20 April 2020 5:29 PM
To: NZIV President <president@nziv.org.nz>
Cc: responseessential <responseessential@mbie.govt.nz>
Subject: RE: Registered Valuers - Essential Service? [UNCLASSIFIED]
 

Thank you for your email and for your patience as we work to respond to a large number of enquiries.
 
As you have pointed out, valuation services are not limited to just conveyancing but rather form part of the supply chain for a number of essential businesses and services. As such, valuation services may be carried out under the level four alert period where they are necessary for the continued operation of an essential business or service (i.e. for court proceedings, essential financial institutions etc).
 
It is difficult to be prescriptive about what valuation services will be essential and we ask that businesses use their good  judgement on the services they continue to offer. However, beyond consulting the guidance on the Essential Services website, you do not need to verify that the client (in your example the bank) has had the particular request approved as essential by MBIE or another government agency.
 
Even where essential, valuation services should be carried out remotely if this is possible, and non-essential valuations should be deferred until Level Three.
 
Please note that the Prime Minister has announced today that we will be transitioning to Level Three next week. Under Level Three, valuation services will be permitted for non-essential businesses so long as the relevant guidance is followed and health and safety protocols are in place: https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/workplace-operations-covid-19-alert-levels#e-21010
 
I encourage you to pass this advice on to your stakeholders. If you have any further questions please feel free to reply directly to this email.
 
Kind regards,
 
Essential Services COVID-19 Response Team
covid19.govt.nz

 

Click here to download the MBIE advice