Property settlement

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Before property settlement

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Checking property measurements

Your legal practitioner or conveyancer will send you a plan of the land so you can check that all measurements and boundaries correspond with the Certificate of Title.

Confirm with your legal practitioner or conveyancer that the measurements and boundaries are correct or alert them to any differences.

If you use a conveyancer, make sure that they are licensed. To find a licensed conveyancer, or to check a conveyancer’s licence details, search our Public register of licensed conveyancers.

Lender’s property valuation

Your lender will usually arrange for a valuation of the property to ensure the price you paid corresponds with its approximate market value. This may happen before you sign the contract of sale, if the property is not being sold at auction.

Home insurance

Even though the seller’s insurance may cover the property up to the date of settlement, your lender will recommend that you take out building insurance effective from the date the seller signs the contract. This is to safeguard their interest in the property, as well as your own.

Pre-settlement property inspection

You are entitled to inspect the property at any reasonable time during the week before settlement. Contact the agent to arrange this inspection.

The contract of sale requires the seller to hand over the property in the same condition as when it was sold. If, during the final pre-settlement inspection, you find that something is damaged or not working as it was on the day the property was sold, you can request a repair. Check all the items listed in the contract are there and in the right condition.