Conveyancer Process
The Conveyancing process looks closely at what happens when a purchaser buys a property, from the pre-purchase stages, and on to the actual conveyancing process itself.
The importance of Pre-Purchase Legal Advice
It is essential to seek pre-purchase legal advice before buying any property. Platinum Lawyers offer all clients a pre-purchase advice service, designed specifically to assist you with the all the legal requirements of purchasing your desired property.
Check Before You Purchase
Your Conveyancers should be able to assist you in carrying out certain basic property checks, such as:
Building Inspections
We strongly advise that you never purchase a property without a building inspection. Best practice is to hire a building inspection service to check for structural soundness, asbestos, faulty wirings, etc. We can arrange a Building Inspection on your behalf, with a full report made available to you within 48 hours. If you are knowledgeable in this area, you could do this yourself however, if the building does have problems that you did not detect, you accept full risk.
Pest Inspections
Pest inspectors will uncover any termite damage visible in the property, identify conditions that are attractive to termites and advise how to reduce the risk of termite attack. Pest Inspections are performed strictly in accordance with the Australian Standard AS4349.3-1998. Again, We can arrange a Pest Inspection on your behalf, with a full report made available to you within 48 hours.
Strata Report
It is important when buying a unit, town-house or villa to have a professional inspection carried out of the strata records for the complex. The strata report lists the history of the building, all recent repairs undertaken, any disputes or areas under investigation, monies in the bank to cover repairs and maintenance and the likelihood of any special levies, as well as general information on insurances, by-laws, harmony etc. We can arrange to have this search done efficiently and a copy emailed/faxed to you within 48 hours (subject to availability of records).
Types of Property
There are several different types of property with the most common being;
- vacant land;
- house and land; and
- home units.
There are also different forms of title which you will need to know about. For example:
Torrens Title
System of recording ownership of property where registration on the certificate of title guarantees ownership. This law was previously known as, General Law Title.
Strata Title
This is a title for units/apartments/flats and may or may not include car parking. Check if there is car parking and if there is, check if it is allocated by the body corporate, that is, incorporated in the unit title, or on separate title.
Stratum Title
This form of title is similar to strata title however instead of sharing ownership of common property with the other title holders, the owner has shares in a company which holds the title to, and is responsible for maintenance, management and administration of the common property.
Company Share Title
With this title, the purchaser does not actually own a title. Instead, the purchaser is allocated shares in a company that owns the title. On sale the shares are transferred.
Checking the Title
It is important to check what the Certificate of Title is as it sets out the details of the present owner and any registered mortgages over the property, and any other encumbrances. The title sets out the Lot and Plan number which defines the precise location and size of the land, such as:
Easements
This refers to restrictions on the use of the land, such as right of way, or the right to lay water or sewerage pipes.
- Caveats: this word is the Latin translation for ‘beware’. Basically this is a warning that other person has a right or an interest in the land/property. That person’s interest has priority over the purchaser and
- Mortgages: this refers to the rights the lender has over the land/property in return for the loan of money. If the loan is not repaid, the lender may sell the land or become registered as the owner of the land/property.
Other considerations
There are important pre-purchase checks. Visiting or speaking with someone from the local council of the land/property is the best way to find out about important information that may impact on your real estate purchase.
For example, if you are planning to renovate, you will need to check if the real estate is registered as being of Heritage significance.
- If there is a vacant block of land next to or near the property, see if there are there any plans for a block of flats or apartments to be built next door.
- You can find out if there are plans for a shopping centre development down the street.
- How the zoning of your real estate will affect your use of it, so it is important to find out from council what the zoning is.
- The local council requires the current owner to notify and seek permission from council before making any modifications or even demolish. Check with council if any of the buildings on the property been built without a permit.
At Platinum Lawyers, we have qualified Lawyers and Conveyancer in Sydney looking after your property purchase at every stage of the conveyancing process. Platinum Lawyers is committed to low cost Fixed Fee Conveyancing.
Simple. Low Cost. Low Risk.
Platinum Lawyers are a Professional Property Lawyer in Sydney specialising in Conveyancing. Conveyancer Sydney.com.au is a division of Platinum Lawyers (NSW) Pty Ltd specialising in Conveyancing.
Our Location
Suite 502, Level 5, 75 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph (02) 8084 2764
