Brett Hayton, Author at Hayton Kosky

Conveyancing Mortgage PropertyMortgage Fraud in Australia: How Fraudsters Exploit Banking Systems and Professional Networks

19 January 2026

The Australian mortgage market, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, has become an increasingly attractive target for sophisticated fraudsters. Recent high-profile cases have exposed vulnerabilities in bank approval processes and revealed how corrupt professionals—including mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and lawyers—can work in coordinated networks to perpetrate massive fraud schemes. Understanding these tactics is...

Conveyancing Property SuperannuationSERV Victoria: A Comprehensive Overview of Land Registry Services

7 January 2026

January 2026 Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Secure Electronic Registries Victoria (SERV), the private operator of Victoria’s Land Titles and Registry functions. It addresses key questions regarding SERV’s ownership structure, the range of services it provides, and the specific land registry functions the Victorian Government has retained since the 2018 privatisation....

Conveyancing PropertyThe Cost of Commercialisation: Why Home Owners Face Rising Land Registry Fees Despite the SERV Concession

7 January 2026

The Victorian government is facing renewed scrutiny over its management of the Land Registry, with a proposal to significantly increase fees raising concerns that the public is now paying the price for a 2018 concession sold to the private operator, SERV. Despite ceding control of land registry operations for 40 years, the government is moving...

Elder Abuse Estate Planning Probate & WillsA Lawyer’s Secret: Why We Adore the DIY Will

26 December 2025

As the festive season winds down and the faint aroma of burnt credit card statements wafts through the air, we in the legal profession brace ourselves for what we affectionately call the ‘post-Christmas will rush’. It’s a beautiful time, a true “Boxing Day epiphany” when families suddenly realise it’s time to sort out their affairs,...

Conveyancing Estate Planning PropertyDownsize, Don’t Disappear: Seven Ways to Avoid the Pitfalls of Retirement Downsizing

22 December 2025

The promise of retirement downsizing is a delectable dream: no lawns to mow, a low-maintenance lifestyle, a hefty mortgage paid off, and cash left over for travel and fun. But for many Australians, the reality is a transition “soured by a lot of things that happened along the way,” turning into a “claustrophobic nightmare”. The...

Conveyancing Estate Planning PropertyThe Bank of Mum and Dad: Five Pitfalls to Avoid When Helping Your Kids Buy a Home

21 December 2025

The Bank of Mum and Dad is one of Australia’s biggest lenders, a testament to the generosity of parents helping their children navigate an increasingly unaffordable property market. However, as well-intentioned as this help may be, it is a financial minefield, and emotional decisions without legal and financial advice can lead to costly mistakes—potentially hundreds...

Conveyancing PropertyThe Real Story Behind “Anywhere but Victoria” for Property Investors

19 December 2025

The phrase “Anywhere but Melbourne” or “Anywhere but Victoria” has become a growing sentiment among property investors, and the data reveals a startling truth behind this market exodus. A closer look at the Victorian rental market shows that thousands of landlords are quietly exiting, leaving behind a profound void and reshaping the property landscape The...

ConveyancingVictoria’s 2025 Property Tax Shake-Up: What You Need to Know

12 December 2025

Significant changes to Victoria’s property tax landscape have arrived following the enactment of the State Taxation Further Amendment Act 2025. These updates reshape how stamp duty and land tax apply to commercial property, residential ownership, and certain exemptions. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new. Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT) Takes Effect One of the...

Property UncategorisedSingle Dwelling Covenants: The Private Agreements Coming Under Public Fire

5 December 2025

For decades, private agreements known as restrictive covenants have shaped the character of many Melbourne suburbs, often guaranteeing large blocks and low-density housing. Thousands of these covenants exist, frequently introduced by developers or struck between property owners to prevent subdivisions and second dwellings. However, these agreements—which in some cases can be set 50 or 100...

Conveyancing Estate Planning MortgageClient Success Story: The Power of Professionalism and Empathy in Reverse Mortgages

3 December 2025

At Hayton Kosky, our goal is to make complex legal processes as clear and straightforward as possible for our clients. We were delighted to receive a glowing 5-star review from a recent client, following the settlement of her new Gateway Bank Reverse Mortgage Access loan, introduced by Seniors First. The client’s feedback, which echoed...

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