Property
Property and conveyancing lawyers in Richmond
Most property matters go through without incident. The ones that do not usually turn on something that was sitting in the contract or the section 32 all along — a covenant, an easement, an owners corporation liability, a settlement date nobody could meet. We read those documents properly, tell you in plain English what you are agreeing to, and handle the transaction through to settlement.
- Contract & Section 32 Review in VictoriaBuying property in Victoria? Abbots Legal reviews your contract of sale and Section 32 before you sign, identifying key legal risks, restrictions and terms.
- Auction contract reviewBidding at auction in Victoria? There is no cooling off and the contract is unconditional. We read it before you raise your hand. Fixed fee quoted in writing first.
- Buying property in VictoriaSolicitor-led conveyancing for Victorian buyers, from reading the contract through to settlement day. Fixed fee quoted in writing before we start.
- Buying your first home in VictoriaBuying your first home in Victoria. We check what duty relief and grants you qualify for before you sign, not after. Fixed fee quoted in writing first.
- Buying off the planBuying off the plan means signing for something not yet built. We read the sunset clause and the variation rights before you commit. Fixed fee quoted first.
- Settlement and adjustmentsWhat happens on settlement day in Victoria, how adjustments are calculated, and what to do when settlement is delayed. Fixed fee quoted in writing first.
What we do
We act for buyers and sellers of residential and commercial property across Melbourne, and for owners dealing with the parts of property law that only surface occasionally — subdivisions, easements, related-party transfers, caveats and settlement disputes.
Every matter is handled by a solicitor. That distinction matters more than it sounds. A licensed conveyancer can carry out a conveyance, but cannot advise outside it. If your purchase turns out to involve a trust, a duty exemption that needs arguing, a caveat, a defaulting vendor or anything that could end up in court, a conveyancer has to refer it on. We do not.
Where matters actually go wrong
In our experience the problems cluster in a few places:
The contract was signed before anyone read it. By far the most common. An agent hands over a contract at an inspection, there is pressure to move, and the buyer signs. In Victoria the vendor must give you the section 32 statement before you sign, but nobody is obliged to explain it to you.
A restriction on title nobody checked. A restrictive covenant limiting what can be built, a single-dwelling covenant on a block bought for a townhouse development, an easement running through the exact spot planned for an extension.
Owners corporation liabilities. Special levies already struck but not yet billed, defect litigation on foot, or a building with combustible cladding. The owners corporation certificate discloses this — if it was obtained.
Dates that were never achievable. A finance clause with a date the lender cannot meet, or a settlement period that does not allow for a subdivision plan to register.
How we are engaged
Most people come to us at one of three points. Before signing, with a contract in hand and a deadline — that is the cheapest and most useful moment. After signing, to take the matter through to settlement. Or when something has gone wrong and there is a dispute about it.
The first two are fixed-fee work. We quote in writing before we start, and the quote does not move unless the scope does.
What it costs
We quote a fixed fee in writing before any work begins, so you know the cost before you commit. Fees depend on the type of transaction and how complex the title is — a standard established house is not the same piece of work as a 400-page off-the-plan contract or a multi-title rural property.
Government charges are separate and are not our fees. Land transfer duty, registration fees and search costs are set by the State Revenue Office and Land Use Victoria, and we itemise them at cost.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer or is a conveyancer enough?
For a straightforward purchase, either can do the conveyance. The difference is what happens when it stops being straightforward. A licensed conveyancer cannot advise on matters outside conveyancing — trust structures, contested duty positions, caveats, or a dispute that heads towards court — and has to refer that work elsewhere. A solicitor can deal with it as part of the same matter.
When should I get a lawyer involved?
Before you sign, if you possibly can. Reviewing a contract and section 32 before signing is the cheapest point at which advice can change anything. Once you have signed, your options narrow considerably and in most cases the question becomes how to manage the contract rather than whether to enter it.
How long does a property settlement take in Victoria?
Settlement periods are negotiated in the contract. Thirty, sixty and ninety days are the common choices, with sixty the most usual for an established home. Off-the-plan purchases run much longer because settlement follows registration of the plan of subdivision.
Do you act for sellers as well as buyers?
Yes. For sellers we prepare the contract of sale and the section 32 vendor statement, order the certificates that have to be attached, and act through to settlement. Preparing a vendor statement properly is what prevents a purchaser being able to walk away later.
Can you help if I have already signed?
Yes, and it is worth asking early rather than late. Depending on the circumstances there may be a cooling-off right, a condition that has not been satisfied, or a disclosure problem in the vendor statement. Those options are time-limited, so the sooner we see the documents the more there is to work with.
Auction or settlement date coming up? Tell us the date and we will prioritise it.
Send us your contractLet's start the conversation.
Tell us about your matter and we'll respond within one business day. Transparent fees: a written estimate before work begins, fixed-fee options where we can, and we tell you immediately if the scope changes.