Contract Reviews
Pre-exchange contract reviews, including disclosure documents, special conditions, easements, covenants and zoning issues.
Have the Contract Reviewed Before You Sign
A property contract review is one of the most cost effective pieces of legal work in a purchase. We work through the contract and disclosure documents in detail, explain the key issues in plain English, and provide a clear written summary with recommended amendments. Most issues that come up after exchange could have been spotted at review stage.
What We Examine in the Contract
We review the title, deposited plan, section 10.7 planning certificate and any strata or community title documents supplied, looking closely at special conditions and how they allocate risk between the parties.
Title, Easements, Covenants and Restrictions
Easements, covenants and restrictions on title can limit how you use the land or require you to maintain shared structures. We identify these and explain what they mean in practical terms for the property you are buying.
What Our Review Covers
Settlement Timing and Deposit
We check the proposed settlement date and deposit amount against your circumstances, including whether the timeframe allows for finance approval and any conditions you need included.
Special Conditions and Cooling-Off
Special conditions can shift cost, delay or risk onto the buyer. We flag conditions that are unusual or unfavourable and confirm what cooling off rights apply, including whether a section 66W certificate is being requested.
Further Searches and Due Diligence
Where appropriate, we recommend additional council, planning or strata searches to confirm matters that the contract disclosure alone does not fully address.
Issues to Resolve Before Exchange
We set out clearly which issues need to be fixed before you sign, which are worth negotiating, and which are minor enough to accept, so you are not left guessing.
How Shah & Co Lawyers can assist
Our reviews are built to be fast, plain spoken and specific to the property you are buying.
Written Review Reports
A plain English report on the contract, usually within 1 to 2 business days.
Title and Planning Checks
Review of the title, deposited plan and section 10.7 certificate.
Easement and Covenant Advice
Identifying restrictions that affect use or value of the property.
Strata Document Review
Checking by laws, levies and minutes for red flags.
Recommended Amendments
Specific changes to negotiate with the vendor before exchange.
Urgent Turnaround
Fast reviews where an auction or offer deadline is approaching.
What our review covers
- Title, deposited plan and section 10.7 planning certificate.
- Easements, covenants and restrictions affecting the land.
- Strata and community title records, by laws and meeting minutes.
- Special conditions, including off the plan and sunset clauses.
- Cooling off position and settlement timing.
Frequently asked questions
General information only. Every matter turns on its own facts.
Other property law & conveyancing services
Residential Purchases
Acting for purchasers of residential property, including contract review, exchange, cooling off, stamp duty, finance conditions and settlement.
Learn moreResidential Sales
Acting for vendors, including preparation of the contract for sale of land, vendor disclosure, special conditions and settlement.
Learn moreCommercial Property Transactions
Commercial property purchases and sales, GST treatment, going concern transfers and retail and commercial lease assignments on sale.
Learn moreOff The Plan Purchases
Off the plan purchases, including review of the disclosure statement, sunset clauses, variations and stamp duty deferral.
Learn moreProperty Transfers
Transfers between related parties, transfers by reason of marriage breakdown and transfers to and from family trusts and self-managed super funds.
Learn moreProperty Development Transactions
Acting for developers on site acquisitions, joint venture arrangements, project documentation and pre-sale contracts.
Learn moreHave your contract reviewed before you sign.
Arrange a confidential consultation. Discreet, professional and tailored to your circumstances.