News and views

When it comes to “pushing the boundaries” in terms of property law, an area that throws up some interesting – and challenging – issues is encroachment.

Welcome to our second instalment of Caveat venditor, where we’re exploring the very real risks sellers can face during – and well after – property transactions. If you haven’t already, you can check out part 1 here.

Caveat Emptor – buyer beware –is a well-worn phrase that underscores the importance of potential buyers doing their homework before agreeing to any purchase – and living with the fallout if they don’t.

Our team here at Aspiring Law is fielding a lot of queries about the latest changes to what’s known as the “bright-line test”, the property tax regime that came in in 2015.

You’ve probably heard the expression “buyer beware” when it comes to trading property, but what’s not so well understood is that a seller can still carry significant liability.

In a property market this hot, it could be tempting to decide to ride the wave and speed into listing your home to capitalise on the boom.

I’ve had an active interest in property transactions for many years from different vantage points, both as a lawyer and as a bank lender. So I’ve seen property transactions go both good and bad, and everything in between, from a number of perspectives.

The third wave of the Government’s property tax overhaul arrived recently, and it’s already presenting some quirks that can catch out the unwary.