You mean it would cost £200k to buy out. Why would you deduct the initial investment? Each owns half the house. House is worth £400k, so each owns £200k as you said. Buy out would cost £200k to buy the other partners 50% share.
You're getting a far better deal .
The free "rent" is neither here nore there, as you can't rent it out in current state.
So you've lost nothing and gained free labor.
Just take it, why try making it more complicated than it is.
The only thing I'd be concerned about is it taking forever. Once people settle in, if they have other commitments, it's amazing how long they can tolerate living in a building site.
It would be a 100% disaster.
You will always feel your mate is dragging his heels in order to continue his free/cheap accommodation.
Not sure what the rules are in New Zealand but a couple of things that don't seem to be mentioned here.
1. You won't be able to buy this property using a mortgage as its a development investment. If you both have the funds to buy then fair enough but i would have thought NZ Banks would see this as a business loan not a mortgage.
2. Not sure whether NZ has an equivalent of Building Control, but from what you have said it sounds like an earthquake damaged property requiring significant structure work (Piling). If that's the case in the UK building control would not let anyone 'live' in it until suitable for occupation, which is likely when the building in structurally sound, safe and has statutory services.
3. If you can make it work, make sure you employ a structural engineer to design or at least consult on the repairs. You may also need a Party Wall Surveyor if its not a detached property as if your work causes damage to neighboring property you are liable and make sure you have the appropriate insurances in place.
And if the house is uninsurable then you won't get a mortgage in the first place.
Plus if the house is structurally damaged, hence not insurable, then I am sure there is going to be some heavy inspections required for approval and the work needed will require some serious engineering skills.that certainly isn't a DIY job
The only thing I'd be concerned about is it taking forever. Once people settle in, if they have other commitments, it's amazing how long they can tolerate living in a building site.
Not if they get someone else in to do the work. And if someone's living there without having to pay rent, they have an incentive to eek it out... whereas if they live off site they have no incentive to do the work slower.