Protecting Property Buyers from Hidden Defect Exclusions When purchasing property, the excitement of finding the perfect home or investment can overshadow one of the most crucial steps in the transaction process: obtaining a professional review of the contract of sale before signing. Overlooking this step can be costly, as many standard contracts contain clauses that...
Estate PlanningPropertyTrustGifting Assets to a Family Trust: Legal Pitfalls and Protective Strategies
5 July 2025
Transferring personal assets into a family trust is a popular vehicle for wealth protection and estate planning. The advantages are well-publicised—asset shielding, tax planning, succession control—but the legal mechanics behind the transfer are often overlooked. As accountant Geoff Gartly notes, family trusts can serve as a flexible and central structure for managing investments. This post...
ConveyancingInternationalPropertyUncategorisedA Practical Guide to AML Checks for Lawyers and Conveyancers
4 July 2025
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) obligations are a critical part of the legal and conveyancing landscape in Australia. For legal professionals, these responsibilities are not just about ticking boxes; they are about protecting your practice, upholding the integrity of the financial system, and combating serious crime. This practical guide will walk you through...
ConveyancingPropertyUncategorisedThe Great Australian Dream Under Siege: Why Government Housing Policy is Ignoring You
1 July 2025
In the heart of the Australian suburbs, a fundamental conflict is brewing. It’s a clash between the cherished dream of a backyard and a detached home, and a government-led agenda aggressively pushing for high-density apartment living. This policy direction, driven by all levels of government, is unfolding against the backdrop of the worst housing affordability...
Published: July 1, 2025 The Victorian Government has recently passed the State Taxation Acts Amendment Act 2025, introducing several important changes to state taxation laws. Following its Royal Assent on June 24, 2025, the act brings updates that will affect property buyers, developers, businesses, and landowners across the state. Here’s a breakdown of the key...
ConveyancingPropertyUncategorisedUnlocking Your First Home: A Guide to Victorian First Home Buyer Benefits
30 June 2025
For many Victorians, the dream of owning a home can feel like a distant ambition. The financial hurdles, from saving a deposit to covering transaction costs, are significant. Fortunately, the Victorian Government offers a helping hand through several initiatives designed to make homeownership more accessible. Whether you’re buying a new build or an established property,...
ConveyancingFamily LawPropertyThe Bank of Mum & Dad: How to Protect Your Family Loan from a Relationship Breakdown
29 June 2025
The Australian dream of homeownership is increasingly being financed by the “Bank of Mum and Dad.” With property prices soaring, it’s now common for parents to contribute tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars to help their children secure a first home. It’s a generous act of love. But it’s also a significant financial...
ConveyancingPropertyUncategorisedThe Hidden Trap That’s Costing Victorian Property Investors Millions
28 June 2025
Picture this: You’ve just purchased your third investment property in Melbourne, feeling proud of your growing portfolio. Your accountant set up the first property in your personal name for “simplicity,” and you’ve continued with the same structure ever since. Fast forward five years, and a single professional indemnity claim threatens to wipe out your entire...
ConveyancingPropertyNavigating Victoria’s Public Open Space Levy: A Framework for Developers
25 May 2025
Victoria’s urban landscape is continually evolving, driven by population growth and the imperative for sustainable development. A cornerstone of this growth management is the Public Open Space (POS) levy, a critical mechanism ensuring that new developments contribute to the provision of essential community infrastructure. For property developers, understanding the legislative intricacies of this levy is...
PropertyHow Developers Legally Avoid Paying Victoria’s Public Open Space Levy and Land Tax
25 May 2025
In Victoria, a segment of property developers—particularly those engaged in build-to-rent (BTR) schemes—are taking advantage of legal frameworks to sidestep certain state and local tax obligations. While not inherently unlawful, these strategies highlight gaps in legislation that municipalities and the State Revenue Office (SRO) are now scrutinizing. Avoiding the Public Open Space Levy Ordinarily, developers...
