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Clear Advice for Confident Property Decisions
Buying or selling property, whether a home, business premises, or investment, is a significant financial decision. No two transactions are the same, and small issues can quickly become costly if they are overlooked. Our role is to identify risks early and ensure each transaction is managed carefully from the outset.
At Silver & Slate Lawyers, we provide clear, practical conveyancing advice to protect your interests and guide you through the process of buying or selling property from start to finish. We explain each step in plain English, so you know what to expect, where risks may arise and how they are being managed.
Commercial Property & Leasing
Commercial and leasing matters form a key part of our property practice. In addition to conveyancing, we advise on non-residential property matters, including commercial, industrial, and retail leasing, as well as lease negotiations, reviews, and real property licensing. Our advice is practical, commercially focused, and tailored to the specific transaction.
Property transactions can be stressful, particularly when timing, deposits, and settlement pressures are involved. Our approach is to reduce uncertainty and keep matters moving through clear advice, transparent communication, and a calm, structured process that avoids unnecessary legal jargon.
Property & Conveyancing FAQs
Clear answers to common questions about commercial and retail leasing, helping you understand your obligations, manage risk and proceed with confidence.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. It involves reviewing the contract, carrying out legal searches, negotiating terms, and completing the settlement so the property can legally change hands.
Most property transactions take around 4 to 6 weeks from the date contracts are exchanged to settlement. Timeframes can vary depending on finance approval, inspections, negotiations, and the complexity of the transaction.
Conveyancers typically handle straightforward residential transactions. A property lawyer can manage both standard and complex matters, including commercial property, rural land, off-the-plan purchases, strata issues, and transactions involving disputes or unusual conditions.
PEXA is an electronic platform used to complete property transactions online. It allows parties to exchange documents, transfer funds, and lodge titles electronically, making the settlement process more efficient and secure.
VOI is a legal requirement to confirm that the person signing property documents is who they say they are. This helps prevent identity fraud and is mandatory for most property transactions.
In NSW, most residential property purchases (other than auctions) include a 5 business day cooling-off period. During this time, the buyer can withdraw from the contract, usually subject to a financial penalty.
A Section 66W Certificate removes the cooling-off period. It is commonly used where a buyer wants to proceed immediately or where the seller requires certainty, such as in competitive sales.
Strata properties involve shared ownership of common areas and are governed by by-laws. Additional checks are required, including strata levies, meeting minutes, building issues, and compliance with strata regulations.
Important dates often include:
Finance approval date – when the buyer must confirm their loan approval
Building and pest inspection date – allowing the buyer to carry out inspections before proceeding
Missing these dates can have legal consequences.
Commercial transactions often involve additional considerations such as leases, GST treatment, zoning controls, outgoings, and longer settlement periods. These matters require careful legal review and negotiation.
Leases are a critical part of commercial conveyancing. Retail leases are highly regulated, while other commercial leases often involve longer terms, detailed obligations, and more negotiation between parties.
Zoning determines how land can be used. Before proceeding, it’s important to confirm the intended use of the property is permitted under planning controls to avoid compliance or operational issues later.
Yes. A contract review helps identify risks, errors, and unfavourable terms before you are legally bound. Early advice can prevent costly issues later in the transaction.
Due diligence involves checking matters such as zoning, easements, restrictions, outstanding notices, and compliance issues to ensure there are no surprises after settlement.
Insurance requirements depend on whether you are buying or selling and the type of property. In some cases, buyers are responsible for insurance from exchange, so timing is critical.
