We’ve written before about the different searches a solicitor will undertake as part of the conveyancing process when you purchase a property. One of these searches that must be undertaken as part of the process is a land tax clearance search. If you are taking out a mortgage to finance your purchase your mortgagee will require this prior to settlement, but in most cases your solicitor will undertake this search even if you are not taking out a mortgage in order to avoid you taking on a land tax liability.

You only have to open a newspaper, turn on the TV, or do a quick Google search to see the latest news on the growth of property prices along the east coast. While Sydney is grabbing the headlines, more recently the Gold Coast has streaked ahead, with a huge growth in prices being attributed to the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Finding houses to buy or rent is easy. Finding the perfect house to buy or rent that suits the specific wants and needs of everyone who’ll live in it is the real challenge.

As part of the conveyancing process, your solicitor will undertake several searches of the property that you are buying to ensure the property is free from defects and all costs are accounted for prior to settlement. One of the searches they will undertake is a council rates and water search.

The distinction between fixtures and chattels is incredibly important when it comes to property law and conveyancing, as under the law fixtures are part of the land and will remain with it, meaning when you purchase the property you also purchase these fixtures as part of the transaction.