News & Insights

Transferring property from a company or trust into your personal name is possible, but complex. Stamp duty, Capital Gains Tax, and Division 7A rules can create significant costs. Even related-party transfers are treated like full sales at market value. Speak with a solicitor, accountant, and financial specialist before acting to ensure compliance and minimise tax risks.

From 1 January 2027, all Queensland homes, including owner-occupied properties, must meet strict smoke alarm requirements: photoelectric, interconnected alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level, powered by hardwiring or a 10-year battery. Compliance impacts safety, legal obligations, and property transactions, so homeowners should review, upgrade, and retain evidence of alarms well before the deadline to avoid risk and delays.

Buying property off the plan in Queensland can offer early access and potential savings, but it carries legal risks, particularly around sunset clauses. A sunset clause allows a contract to be terminated if settlement is delayed. New laws from 22 November 2023 restrict when developers can use these clauses for vacant land, strengthening buyer protections. Independent legal advice is essential before signing.

Specific performance is a court-ordered remedy requiring a party to carry out their contractual obligations, rather than paying damages. It is commonly used in property disputes where land is unique and money may not be adequate compensation. This article explains when specific performance applies, when courts will grant it, what must be proven, alternative remedies, possible defences, and why early legal advice is essential.

When buying or owning property in Queensland, easements can significantly affect how land is used or developed. This article explains what easements are, common types, how to find them, the difference between public/private and positive/negative easements, and when they can be removed. It also outlines sellers’ legal obligations to disclose easements in the Contract and Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2).

A delayed settlement can have legal and financial consequences, including default interest, compensation claims or contract termination, even if caused by banks or third parties. Common causes include finance and valuation issues, paperwork errors, final inspection problems and linked transactions. In Queensland, REIQ contracts allow limited unilateral extensions and automatic short extensions for late signing, making early legal advice essential if timing is critical.

Queensland’s property law is about to change significantly. From 1 August 2025, a new legal regime will require all residential property sellers to provide buyers with a Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2) before a contract is signed. If you're a property owner, real estate agent, or conveyancer in Queensland, this will impact you.

When dealing with property transactions in Queensland, you may encounter the term "caveat" and wonder what it means and why it appears on a title search. Let's break down the essentials of caveats, why they are lodged, and what to consider if you come across one during a property transaction.

The Queensland Government has announced a game-changing reform for first home buyers, aimed at easing one of the biggest financial hurdles: transfer (stamp) duty. From 1 May 2025, first-time buyers who purchase a newly built home or vacant land to build their first home will no longer have to pay any transfer duty. This move is designed to make homeownership more affordable, and help buyers gain a foothold in Queensland’s competitive property market.