Conveyancers & Property Lawyers

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Property Lawyers Sydney – Legal Support for Property Transactions, Disputes & Compliance

Property transactions — whether you’re buying, selling, leasing, or developing — involve a complex mix of legal, financial, and regulatory considerations. The laws differ between states and territories, which can make an already stressful process even more overwhelming.

At Owen Hodge Lawyers, our experienced property lawyers in Sydney are here to guide you through the entire process with precision and peace of mind. Whether you’re dealing with a residential property purchase, a commercial lease, or a development project, we provide tailored legal support from start to finish.

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Owen Hodge is here to help.

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Frequently asked questions

Property law refers to the legal rules and obligations surrounding the ownership, transfer, use, and development of real estate and land. It covers a wide range of legal issues, including:

  • Conveyancing and transfer of property
  • Contracts of sale
  • Caveats and encumbrances
  • Swimming pool compliance
  • Flood damage and property claims
  • Boarding house regulations

Zoning, council and building restrictions.

A property lawyer can assist with both residential and commercial property matters. Depending on the nature of your issue, they may:

  • Review and draft contracts of sale and lease agreements
  • Conduct due diligence and title searches
  • Manage the conveyancing process
  • Advise on property disputes and litigation
  • Navigate council restrictions and zoning regulations
  • Provide advice on property tax implications
  • Assist with property development and building approvals
  • Represent you in matters involving ownership disputes or contract breaches

For complex property matters, having a qualified solicitor can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure legal compliance at every step.

A conveyancer is licensed to handle standard conveyancing transactions such as the legal transfer of property. However, a property lawyer can advise on more complex legal matters including:

  • Disputes and litigation
  • Commercial and retail leasing
  • Tax, trust, or superannuation-related property issues
  • Development applications and building regulations

Engaging a property lawyer ensures you’re covered for both simple and complicated scenarios.

In NSW the standard cooling off period is five business days, starting from the date of exchange of contracts and ending at 5pm on the fifth business day. However, the cooling off period can be waived, reduced or extended if both the vendor and the purchaser agree to it.

During this time, you as the purchaser can obtain building and pest reports (highly recommended), arrange your finance approval and negotiate special terms and amendments to the contract if required.

Yes, Owen Hodge Lawyers is experienced in handling both residential and commercial property matters.

Before considering buying a property, it is a good idea to apply for pre-approval from a home loan provider or financial institution so you have an idea of how much you can spend. Your borrowing capacity will depend on many factors, including income, financial circumstances and the amount you have saved for a deposit.

In NSW, you must pay stamp duty based on the sale price of the property or the current market value of the property, whichever is higher. Revenue NSW charges a standard stamp duty rate, with a premium rate charged on high net worth properties.

Each year the threshold amounts for standard stamp duty and premium stamp duty are adjusted with CPI. In certain cases you may receive a concession or be exempt from paying stamp duty – such as if you are a first home buyer. To learn more about how much stamp duty you could be expected to pay, you can visit the Revenue NSW Website – https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/taxes-duties-levies-royalties/transfer-duty

While it’s legally possible to conduct your own conveyancing, it’s not recommended unless you have legal training. The property transfer process involves strict legal and procedural requirements, and errors can result in significant financial and legal risks.

A property lawyer provides peace of mind, especially when:

  • The transaction involves unusual or complex clauses
  • You’re purchasing off-the-plan or developing land
  • You’re dealing with property disputes
  • There are joint ownership issues or family law implications
  • Your property is affected by zoning or planning restrictions

Property & Conveyancing Team

Roger Harkin

Partner, Commercial Lawyer, Specialist in Commercial Transactions and Contracts

Richard Farmer

Commercial and Real Estate Consultant

Sally Richmond

Property & Estates Lawyer

Greg Worrall

Licensed Conveyancer

Karen Cho

Property Lawyer

Shirley Lao

Commercial Lawyer

Here’s what our clients are saying

I highly recommend Owen Hodge for a seamless and professional experience

Karen’s advice and guidance throughout our property purchase was invaluable. I highly recommend Owen Hodge for a seamless and professional experience. Thank You!

Suzanne Fonti

Highly Recommended

Karen is super attentive and knows her stuff, we ended up with an early settlement thanks to Karen’s coordination and professionalism. Patty also provided great support throughout. Both Karen and Patty are a pleasure to deal with. Highly recommended.

Will D

Karen was wonderful

Karen was wonderful during our sale of our house and purchase of a new house.
She was always able to answer questions and kept calm when I was starting to stress.
I would recommend Karen to anyone seeking to sell or buy a property.

Sarah Carr

Thanks so much for looking after us

Thanks so much for looking after us. I know it is your job, but your professionalism and efficiency is second to none.

Jo

Excellent Legal Advice

Owen Hodge Lawyers have provided me with excellent legal advice. The processes they administered were done thoroughly and all actions communicated clearly. They provide a friendly and considerate service and I would certainly recommend them to others.

Chris Dewhurst