LINZ News

News

Landonline now available Saturday 19 August

Landonline and Customer Support will now be available on Saturday 19 August 2006.

An earlier email explained that Landonline would not be available due to the latest Landonline upgrade, the 2.8 Release, happening over the weekend of 19 and 20 August. That release has since been deferred.

The Landonline 2.8 Release, which will focus mainly on technology and making the system more robust, will now go ahead in September, subject to testing. Landonline customers will receive notification of the new go-live date via email.

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463).

Landonline

Taking care of your IT environment: Software Downloads

Microsoft and other software vendors are constantly updating the software they offer. These updates include improvements to existing software, fixes to bugs and security patches.

Microsoft offers a patching service that allows software updates to be downloaded and installed automatically, if the user has selected this option. This service is primarily used for security patches, other updates are often available as downloads that you can access by going online.

New patches can sometimes have unexpected effects on other applications.

An example of this was when Microsoft brought out the Service pack 2 update for Windows XP. Many Landonline customers downloaded this service pack soon as it became available – with the result that LINZ's Print to Image Tiff driver (the programme LINZ offers that makes .tiff files) couldn't be installed in a straight forward manner.

In this example, Microsoft's rationale behind the service pack was sound. LINZ needed to develop a new version of the Print to Image Tiff driver that worked with the update. Landwrap 23 has the details.

Microsoft Internet Explorer version 7

Microsoft is bringing out another software update later this year. This time, it's an update to Internet Explorer; the new version will be known as Internet Explorer 7 (IE7).

Microsoft has already released several beta versions of IE7.

Microsoft does not recommend using beta versions of IE7 or any other beta software for your normal operation; beta versions are meant as an opportunity for Microsoft to gain user feedback to pick up issues before the final version is released.

Like Microsoft, LINZ does not recommend that you use any of the beta versions of IE7 as your browser. Without it being tested, we cannot know if it will work well with Landonline.

Microsoft has advised that the final version of IE7 will be available through Automatic Updates. This means IE7 will automatically download into your computer when you accept the update. It may also simply automatically download to your computer without notifying you, if you have selected that option.

LINZ will test IE7 as soon as the final version is made available. We advise that you discuss compatibility between IE7 and Landonline with your IT support.

Other Downloads

In addition to the automatic downloads, there are a great many other products that can be downloaded over the internet. This includes freeware, shareware and updates to products produced by other companies.

These products might have no affect on Landonline's performance, but as LINZ is unlikely to have tested them, we advise that you consult your IT support before you install them.

Ten things you can do to improve Landonline's speed

Using the Landonline application transfers a lot of data. The faster the upload and download speed, the better the internet response is likely to be. The following ten items offer advice on what you can do to improve Landonline's speed.

1) Do you use Dialup or Broadband to connect to the Internet?

LINZ recommends Broadband for running Landonline. Broadband is faster, and in many cases this will translate into improved performance. Of the various dialup options, the maximum speed at which data can be downloaded from the Internet is 56 kb/sec. Broadband plans start at 256kb/sec. There are also other options available, including Fibre, Wireless, and Satellite. Contact your Internet Service Provider for more details.

2) If you already use Broadband, how fast is the plan you are on?

Depending on what you're using it for, the entry-level broadband plans might not be sufficient for your needs. If the connection you use to access Landonline is competing for bandwidth with other applications (e.g. mail, or file transfer) you may experience erratic response times. The professional plans have download speeds of up to 3.5mb/sec, and upload speeds of 512kb/sec.

LINZ suggests contacting your IT specialist before you upgrade to ensure that you're choosing the best option for your needs.

3) What's your monthly transfer limit?

Some broadband plans have a limit on the amount of data you can transfer at the fastest rate. These limits can be daily limits or monthly limits, depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and plan. Once you have reached your data transfer limit, your data transfer rate may be reduced temporarily, sometimes to as low as 64 kb/sec. If you don't know what your limits are, we suggest talking to your ISP and finding out, and perhaps changing to a plan that supports the amount of data you upload and download.

4) Does the time of day have an effect on Internet speed?

Yes. ISPs advertise the speed of download on their Broadband plans as 'maximum' speeds. The speed you get is subject to local conditions and can fluctuate over time.

Peak times vary. In general, there are more people online when it rains, during the day, and during school holidays; usage tends to increase as morning turns into afternoon.

If possible, it might pay to plan your peak Landonline usage to coincide with when you expect Internet usage in general to be low, ie before 10am.

5) Is there any difference between ISPs, even if the plan looks the same?

Potentially, yes. If you compare two ISPs, each offering 3.5 mb/sec download and 512 kb/sec upload with unlimited data transfer, there might still be differences in their performance. LINZ has seen examples where a change in ISP seemingly resulted in improved performance. A possible reason for this is different levels of 'latency', which is the time it takes for information to travel from one computer to another.

Changing your ISP would obviously be a last resort. Before you consider it, LINZ suggests you contact your ISP to discuss your options.

7) What about Wireless connections?

While they can have the same maximum speeds as ADSL connections, actual performance can vary considerably. These variations can be caused by additional latency, as well as changes in atmospheric conditions.

There is no doubt that wireless connections offer a level of convenience not provided by traditional land lines. The difference in speed between wireless and land-lines is also becoming less and less. LINZ has seen examples where wireless connections have provided good performance when used with Landonline, but there are also cases where users have decided to revert to a standard ADSL connection (ie land line) after having installed a wireless connection. If possible, try before you buy.

8) Does your network configuration make a difference?

The answer to this question is that it could do. If you have recently made a change to your network and Landonline is running slower than it should, talk to your IT support people and ask them to examine this.

9) Do your security settings affect Landonline's speed?

Yes. There have been instances where Landonline customers have experienced very slow connection speeds due to a security setting change. Again, talk to your IT support to have this examined.

10) Are there other hardware issues that could have an effect?

For broadband, make sure you have an adequate ADSL router, ie one that has been certified, indicated by a green telepermit sticker.

Ensure you have adequate phone line filters and splitters. These ensure that your connection is as free as possible from phone line interference.

Ensure that you have a robust network card. This helps to make connections as efficient as possible. Your IT specialist should be able to identify any network issues.

A note on Unbundling

On 3rd of May 2006 the New Zealand Government announced that Telecom's broadband infrastructure is to be 'unbundled'. This means other ISPs will be able to offer their own broadband Internet connections rather than simply re-selling Telecom's, which is what happens now. While this is likely to be of greatest benefit to the home user market, it is expected that it will eventually lead to faster Internet access to all, at a more competitive price.

In a cabinet paper released 03/05/2006, Communications Minister David Cunliffe says: "Access to fast, competitively priced broadband Internet is vital for New Zealand to take full advantage of new technologies.

A package (the unbundling of the local loop) will help ensure we catch up and keep up with other developed countries."

Keeping up with demand: ongoing Landonline improvements

Landonline is being improved on an ongoing basis. Three ways that this is occurring are:

• Capacity upgrades, where we monitor various parts of the system and schedule upgrades accordingly. The parts we monitor include, amongst others, the Citrix servers, the CPUs and the Informix databases.
• Scheduled Releases, which include the major updates to the Landonline application and database.
• Reactive improvements, where we improve things quickly, particularly if a fault has occurred. These improvements may be carried out prior to an upgrade or Release.

Capacity upgrades

LINZ is constantly monitoring the total number of customers on the Landonline system. With 100% e-lodgement just around the corner Landonline usage and demand on the hardware used to run Landonline will increase. Monitoring allows us to react to potential capacity issues before they become problems. For example, LINZ recently increased the processing capacity of the main Landonline server by 25%. We are continuing to monitor CPU usage, and will upgrade again as and when necessary.

Another change that's currently being planned is to increase the number of Citrix servers available for use. Citrix servers are the servers that run the Landonline client application. Currently, Landonline utilises ten Citrix servers. LINZ will proactively add more of these servers as volumes increase.

Scheduled Releases

Major changes to the Landonline application are handled through an ongoing programme of upgrades, called Releases (similar to software versions). The Landonline 2.7 Full Release was rolled out in May. The Landonline 2.8 Release is scheduled to roll out in September.

The Landonline 2.7 Full Release included a number of visible changes, particularly to the Search screens (detailed in an earlier edition of Landwrap), and a number of technology changes as well.

The Landonline 2.8 Release will focus mainly on back-end software to keep up to date with modern technologies. However, there will also be a couple of changes Landonline customers will notice. These are:

1. the ability to send surveyors emails when their e-survey has been requisitioned, and
2. scroll-bars on screens for those users who aren't able to increase their screen resolution to view all the information.

Future editions of Landwrap will detail these changes more thoroughly.

Reactive Improvements

The other aspect to improving Landonline's performance is to be responsive to issues customers raise as quickly as possible. This may occur independently of a Landonline Release.

A recent example of this was the resolution of an issue where print view screens had been slower to open than the typical 3-5 seconds.

LINZ investigated and found that the issue was linked the Uniprint driver not working as well as required, affecting 'structured text viewing'. LINZ contacted the vendor, and acquired a solution to the issue. The solution was fast-tracked into production and the driver was reloaded in the last week in June. This resulted in an immediate improvement in print view screen loading speed, with the added benefit of faster spooling of documents to the printer.

Further notes about Passwords and Passphrases – the quick version

In the last issue of Landwrap, we included detailed guidelines for choosing a password. This issue answers some common questions Landonline users have about passwords.

1) Passwords – a summary (for full guidelines, see the previous issue):

• A password is needed for initial login to Landonline.
• It must be at least eight characters long.
• It must contain letters and at least one number.
• Every user of Landonline needs a password, even if that user only uses e-search.
• Your password needs to be changed at least once every 90 days.

2) What is a passphrase?

• A passphrase is simply a type of password that is used for certify and sign of e-instruments – if you do not certify and sign e-instruments, you will not need a passphrase.
• Your passphrase must be at least eight characters long, and must contain upper and lower case characters and at least one number.
• Your passphrase does not need to be an entire sentence.
• The passphrase does not need to be changed for the 12 month life of the Digital Certificate.

3) Log out after changing your password

After you change your password, Landonline will not let you continue unless you log out of Landonline completely, and then logon again using your new password.

4) What if you don't change your password?

Landonline will prompt you when it's time to change your password. If you fail to do so after the fifth prompt, you will be locked out. At this point, the only way to re-enable your password is to contact Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463).

5) What if you forget your password or passphrase?

Usually, the only remedy for this is to re-issue the Digital Certificate (although if you have retained the original install codes and password, it may be possible to 're-export' the Digital Certificate).

As LINZ pays for Digital Certificates from an independent 3rd party security supplier, you will normally be charged for a new one. To get a new Digital Certificate or assistance with re-exporting your Digital Certificate, contact Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463).

Regulatory

Transferring a share to an existing registered proprietor

When LINZ registers a transfer by the holder of a share in land to another shareholder in the same land, this will result in the transferee being recorded in the computer register as proprietor of separate shareholdings, unless the transferee requests otherwise.

If the transferee wishes to be recorded as the owner of the combined shareholding, the transferee should include a request or recital to that effect in the transfer.

In the absence of such a recital LINZ cannot assume that shares are to be combined in these circumstances as the owner may have valid reasons for wanting their ownership of each shareholding to be recorded separately (e.g. for family trust or estate planning purposes).

If the transferee does not include such a recital in the share transfer, and then wishes to be recorded as the owner of the combined shareholding, it will be the transferee's responsibility to lodge a further transfer to achieve that result.

Survey of tidal boundaries

Care needs to be taken when resurveying land with a tidal boundary to define the correct legal boundary. There has been some confusion about when to use Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) and when to use Mean High Water Mark (MHWM).

Generally, where land has a tidal boundary (i.e. the land is bounded by the sea or a tidal river or creek), the position of the tidal boundary has in the past been taken as MHWM – see section 35 of the Crown Grants Act 1908.

The legal boundary of such land being redefined or subdivided continues to be MHWM, and all of the land to MHWM must be accounted for on the survey plan.

When an esplanade reserve is set aside from land with a tidal boundary which is being subdivided, the esplanade reserve can only go to MHWS – refer S230 Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). If MHWS and MHWM are not significantly different, the tidal boundary should be labelled MHWM/MHWS.

S237A RMA requires a survey plan of land being subdivided to show as vesting in the Crown any part of the allotment that is in the coastal marine area (i.e. land below MHWS) (subject to any rule in a district plan or any resource consent which provides otherwise).

Surveys supporting removal of limitations as to parcels from the title to land with a tidal boundary should normally show the land to MHWM (unless the original grant was not to MHWM, or the applicant had lost possession of part of the land in the limited title).

A survey of accretion for land with a tidal boundary should show the new position of MHWM. The same applies to a survey showing erosion.

Depiction of accretion and erosion on e-surveys

On e-surveys, accretion is depicted on the digital plan in the same manner as on a hardcopy plan.

Because of the way the digital cadastre works, erosion will be depicted on a digital survey plan as separate parcels with an area and a parcel intent of 'hydro'. Erosion parcels should be annotated with the description 'erosion' on the digital plan (user added text). Erosion parcels should not be labelled with an underlying appellation, Lot number, or any other parcel identifier other than 'erosion'.

e-survey

Determination of Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) – new advisory note and table

There's a new table of tidal levels at Standard Ports around New Zealand that can be used by surveyors and engineers for sea level determination.

The table has been calculated by LINZ. It represents the 18.6 year average predicted values using the full constituent set that LINZ has access to. It should be used in conjunction with the Determination of MHWS advisory note which has, like the table itself, been published on the LINZ website.

The Surveyor-General had previously published a version of the advisory note directing surveyors to consult the Nautical Almanac for this information. However, due to changes in the way that the levels have been calculated, these values should no longer be used for the determination of cadastral or administrative boundaries.

The Nautical Almanac table is produced for navigation purposes; it shows the tidal levels for the next 12 month period. These values will change from year to year by up to 15 centimetres over the course of the 18.6 year tidal cycle.

The advisory note has been modified accordingly.

Fast Track Processing

LINZ offers a Fast Track processing service for surveyors and solicitors. Fast Track is a way of reducing the processing time of an e-survey and a dealing (either electronic or manual) by submitting them together.

To qualify for Fast Tracking the e-survey and dealing must be lodged, along with the Fast Track form, on the same day.

With Fast Track processing the elapsed time from submission of an e-survey to issue of title is reduced from 25 working days to 12.

However, if the e-survey or dealing is requisitioned or rejected then the timeframe reverts to the manual target of 10 working days for an e-survey and 15 working days for title issue.

So, to achieve the benefits, and for it to be effective, a thorough QA process needs to be undertaken before lodgement to minimise the likelihood of requisitions.

It is essential that there is good communication between the surveyor and solicitor to co-ordinate the timing of the lodgements.

The Fast Track application form - (pdf 106KB) can be found on the Landonline website.

e-dealing

e-dealing Training Information Mailout – Book your training now

LINZ is mailing all conveyancing firms to remind them about key deadlines as they progress towards 100% electronic lodgement. If your firm hasn't received the mailout by now, contact Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463).

The first deadline for 100% electronic lodgement is 1 May 2007, when all discharges must be lodged through e-dealing. To achieve this deadline, LINZ is recommending that all firms aim to be lodging 90% of all e-capable transactions through the system by November of this year. We also encourage all firms to be trained on the system by this date.

LINZ believes that this timeframe will help firms manage the usual seasonal workflow pressures and ensure staff coming back from leave have adequate time to become proficient on the e-dealing system.

We will be supporting firms to achieve these deadlines. Sharon Cottrell, General Manager Customer Services, said:

"LINZ is committed to helping firms transition into the electronic environment. To this end, we are providing free, onsite training and a range of online self-help resources and tools, all of which will help to ensure a seamless transition."

The resources available are:

• Free onsite training until November of this year
• On the Landonline website, in the e-dealing section:
  • e-dealing Online Practise Tools
  • e-dealing Quick Reference Cards – extra copies of which can be printed from the website
  • User guides

The goal of the 100% e-lodgement programme is to enable all conveyancing and survey firms to process property title and land transactions electronically through Landonline by 1 July 2008.

Key dates for 100% electronic lodgement are:

• 1 May 2007 – all discharges must be lodged through e-dealing
• 1 August 2007 – all Transfer and Mortgage types currently e-dealing capable must be lodged through e-dealing
• 1 July 2008 – all remaining title transactions must be lodged through e-dealing

For more information contact Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463) (select option 1, then 1, then 1 again).

e-dealing with Registrar's Caveat

Some titles contain a Registrar's caveat for various reasons, such as land-locked parcels.

Where a Registrar's caveat is present, the only means of effecting registration is to have the Registrar-General of Land (RGL) remove the Registrar's caveat. The only exception to this is in the case of a discharge, which can be registered irrespective of the existence of a caveat.

Consent to a Registrar's caveat is not possible for an e-dealing.

Where a Registrar's caveat exists and you wish to deal with the transaction by e-dealing, you may apply to the RGL for the removal of the caveat and (if the RGL considers it necessary) its subsequent reinstatement after you complete your e-dealing.

To register a title with a Registrar's caveat on it via e-dealing, the process is:

1. You apply to the RGL for removal, preferably well in advance of the settlement date*.
2. The RGL advises if the caveat can be removed.
3. If so, a departmental dealing is created to remove the caveat.
4. You submit and queue your dealing via e-dealing.
5. The caveat is removed.
6. Your dealing is processed.
7. If appropriate, the RGL reinstates the caveat.

There is no additional charge for this service.

* Application can be made via LINZ Customer Support on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463), requesting contact with the RGL for removal of a Registrar's caveat. Alternatively, you may send an email through the Landonline website, using the query category 'Titles'; the sub-category 'Other' and the suggested category 'Registrar's caveat'.

Landwrap

Landwrap is the authoritative news and information source for survey and title customers.

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