There have been an increasing number of reported cases of conveyancing fraud across Australia in recent years and legislation requires updating to try and reduce the risk to both property purchasers and mortgagees.

A recent decision in the NSW Court of Appeal (World Best Holdings v Sarker (2010)) highlighted some of the issues that landlords need to be aware of when negotiating and fulfilling retail leases.

The Residential Tenancies Act and Regulation both came into force as from 31 January 2011 and apply to all residential tenancies in New South Wales. As a landlord or tenant, make sure you know how the changes will affect you...

How do you determine whether a tenant has parted with possession of the premises? Australia Post has been found in breach of a lease for setting up a subsidiary company in one of its premises.

This Plain English Guide answers some of the more commonly asked questions about buying real estate 'off the plan' and should be read in conjunction with Coleman & Greig's Plain English Guide to Buying Real Estate.

There are few more important transactions than buying real estate. You are making a major financial investment and the purchase is likely to result in changes to your personal life. Buying real estate is usually an emotional process and it is important to make sure that you are not “blinded” by this emotion.

Most home units, town houses or villas in New South Wales are held under Strata or Community Title. Strata and Community titles are particular types of Torrens Title. When you own a house or a block of land you have absolute ownership of not only the house and land but also the air space above the land and the earth underneath. This is known as “absolute” ownership of the whole vertical column.

The sale of your home is likely to be one of the most important transactions you enter into. Not only will substantial amounts of money be involved but the event will involve a significant change in your personal affairs.

An elderly person may often elect to reside with family and/or friends as an alternative to living in an Aged Care Facility. The decision to do this however should not be taken lightly and all of the people concerned should be involved in the decision-making process to avoid potential pitfalls.

Part 3 in the series on commercial leasing by Andrew Grima focuses on how the lease can come to an end, the consequences associated with ending a lease and what you need to consider in such circumstances. Essential reading for all tenants and landlords!

As an increasing number of Australians move into retirement villages, or the popular "Over 55 Lifestyle Estates", it is important to view the issues that can arise and the complexities that are often involved in this type of move.