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illegal building works, unapproved works, illegal structure, property, building, buyer, purchase, seller, local council, council, consent, compliant, regulations, environment, planning, safety standard, neighbour, boundary, approval, strata scheme, owners corporation, DA, development application, Complying Development Certificate, CDC, BASIX, exempt development, complying development, home extension, structure, certification, modification, rescind, completed works
31 Oct 2024

Illegal building works – the horror story edition

Illegal building works create obstacles in property transactions Property prices have soared in recent years, making real estate one of the most significant investments that most Australians will ever make. Whether buying or selling a property, the last thing anyone wants is to encounter unexpected legal or financial hurdles due to illegal building works. Unapproved […]
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bank of mum and dad, BOMAD, bank of dad, loan, gift, family loan, financial support, property, mortgage, cost of living, Centrelink, age pension, guarantor, borrowing capacity, credit score, security, documented, divorce, Deed, verbal agreement
19 Oct 2023

Trouble at the bank of mum and dad – the horror story edition on family loans

Unaffordable housing leads to reliance on bank of mum and dad As Australia continues to rank among the least affordable markets for housing globally, it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people and other aspiring first-home owners to buy a property. Consequently, the “bank of mum and dad” is as popular as ever. However, there […]
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26 Apr 2023

“I’m not an anti vaxxer, I’m just wary of the Covid vaccine for children.” Which case won?

In early 2022, X was a ten-year-old child whose parents were no longer together.

Under parenting orders made in 2019, X lived with his mother and spent substantial and significant time with his father.

X’s mother and father had equal shared parental responsibility for X.

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selling a property, buyer, deposit, due diligence, finance, contract, cooling off period, property, real estate agent, seller, settlement
06 Oct 2022

Selling a property in NSW – the buyer, the seller, the lawyer and the real estate agent

Selling a property, or buying one, usually involves a buyer (purchaser), a seller (vendor), a lawyer (solicitor) or conveyancer, and a real estate agent. Each of these people has a role to play for the transaction to be completed smoothly, without unnecessary drama or grief. Problems can often arise when one of these people underestimates […]
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pay for repairs, residential lease, commercial lease, retail lease, landlord, tenant, repairs, maintenance, wear and tear, equipment, fixtures, fittings, premises
25 Nov 2021

Who has to pay for repairs? The landlord or the tenant?

Working out who has to pay for repairs on a property may not always be straightforward. There are legal obligations on both parties – the tenant and the landlord – regarding the upkeep and repair of a property. However, it can still sometimes be ambiguous. Residential leases vs commercial leases Responsibility for paying for repairs […]
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release of deposit, vendor, purchaser, buyer, seller, deposit, agent, property sale, contract, clause, exchange, settlement
10 Nov 2021

Release of deposit clause in property sale contracts

If you are selling or buying residential or commercial property in New South Wales, it is likely you will come across a release of deposit clause. What does this clause mean? And what risks does it present for the purchaser? What is a release of deposit clause? Generally, when a party enters into a contract […]
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small claim, NSW, debt, owed, owing, money, creditor, debtor, negotiation, mediation, Local Court, NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, NCAT
27 Feb 2020

How do you make a small claim in NSW?

If you find yourself in a position where you’re out of pocket because of someone else and the amount you’re owed is relatively small, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Whether it’s a debt someone hasn’t repaid (like a customer who won’t pay your bill), money you’ve had to outlay to […]
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03 Apr 2017

Hornsby law firm Collins & Thompson broadens horizons by joining Stacks Law Firm

Hornsby law firm Collins & Thompson is broadening its horizons by joining Stacks Law Firm, a thriving network of locally owned independent law firms across NSW and Queensland. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our legal team in Hornsby and for our clients, as it will enable us to have access to more than 85 […]
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