Property and
Development
Why Choose Us?
Beck Legal understands property development. We have the resources, expertise and track record to advise on successful property developments. We make the process as smooth as possible by managing all stakeholders. If you are involved in a property development, talk to our property and planning team to see what we can do for you.
What is Property and Development?
- assisting in the sale and purchase of commercial, residential and industrial land including off-the-plan contracts
- acting on behalf of property developers in respect of development of large residential, commercial and industrial sites throughout Victoria;
- advising in respect of tax and duty obligations and minimisation in relation to acquisitions, sales and development of land;
- acting for local government bodies in the sale and purchase of all types of land;
- advising private land owners and local government bodies in respect of easements, covenants and adverse possession claims;
- acting for owners corporation managers in respect to establishment, management and dispute resolution within owners corporations;
- acting for landlords and tenants in all forms of commercial, retail and residential tenancy lease negotiations and documentation;
- advising farmers on the purchase and sale of primary production land including associated water rights; and
- advising clients on the sale and purchase of properties in retirement villages.
How We Can Help
Property Development
Whether you are a developer, corporate or institutional owner, an investor or a service provider involved in a development project, you need a legal team that understands the Property and Development and planning law landscape in Australia. Beck Legal’s property development team has advised on numerous landmark developments across Victoria. We are committed to providing our clients with workable solutions in order to ensure that their development project proceeds without delays and issues. We understand the Victorian property market and how that impacts on development terms, approvals and investor appetite, which enables us to bring a commercial and pragmatic approach to the table.
We act for parties involved in all types of property developments, including residential subdivisions and complexes, infrastructure, shopping centres, retail and industrial developments.
Farming Land
Agricultural and farming laws and regulations in Australia can be a minefield. Beck Legal advises farmers, co-operatives, agricultural service providers, technology providers, companies and families in all aspects of farming law. Our expertise stretches from rural succession planning to farming land sales, and everything in between. It is important to have a legal team in your corner who understands the intricacies of the farming regulations and also the reality of working in the agricultural industry, and at Beck Legal a number of our lawyers come from agricultural backgrounds.
Easements and Covenants
Removing or modifying a restrictive covenant or easement can immediately add significant value to land. It can result in the ability for you to build more dwellings, build higher or utilise parts of the land which were previously off limits. It can also give you more freedom and enjoyment in how you use your land, for example by removing any restrictions in respect of the look and feel of your property.
Owners Corporation
Beck Legal has a strong reputation as being the trusted advisers in all aspects of owners corporation law. Owners corporation laws are constantly evolving and our team stays on top of the constant changes to the Owners Corporations Act, as well as VCAT and Court decisions to ensure that you are always one step ahead.
Beck Legal adopts a commercial and holistic approach to owners corporation matters, to minimise the risks of disputes and hostility and to ensure everyone can work together for the benefit of the lot owners as a whole. If a dispute arises, we will work with you to resolve it quickly and cost effectively, with a view to salvaging relationships and achieving a win-win outcome for everyone.
Commercial Leasing
Entering into a Lease is a big commitment for both landlords and tenants. It is vital to ensure that your Lease reflects your intentions otherwise you could be locked into an agreement that you are not happy with for many years. Beck Legal’s leasing lawyers stay on top of the changes in commercial leasing, including changes to the Retail Leases Act and Court cases to ensure that your Lease is compliant and is enforceable.
Commercial Conveyancing
We recognise that no two contracts are the same. Our team will provide you tailored advice and assist in every step of your commercial property transaction including:
- drafting the contract and vendor’s statement;
- negotiating terms on your behalf; and
- settling the matter to ensure you are recorded as owner.
When purchasing commercial property, we ensure that you:
- are fully informed of your legal rights and obligations;
- let you know what your transaction costs are including stamp duty, Titles Office fees and legal costs; and
- have access to an experienced team who can help you carry out appropriate due diligence investigations on the property.
When selling property, our team will:
- advise you of your pre-contract disclosure obligations with respect to the property;
- work with your accountant and financial advisors to ensure the contract is structured to minimise any GST and other tax liabilities; and
- ensure you are appropriately protected in respect of any ongoing rights up to and following settlement.
If you are looking for assistance with residential properties, check out our Conveyancing page for further information.
Court Case – Email Negotiations equal binding Lease
In the decision of Vantage Systems Pty Ltd v Priolo Corporation Pty Ltd [2015] WASCA 21, the Supreme Court found that a binding lease had been formed as a result of email negotiations between the parties, despite the fact that no formal lease document was entered into.
Owners Corporations can’t stop Lot Owners cashing in on Airbnb
Melbourne is in the top 20 Airbnb cities in the world, with record numbers of apartments and houses being listed on the popular website. Whilst great for investors, short term letting has been a source of major frustration for long term tenants, owner occupiers and owners corporations.
Owners Corporations Victoria Good Governance Guide
Owners corporations are responsible for the management of common property in residential, commercial, retail, industrial or mixed-use property developments. As the number of high rises and apartment living continues to grow in Victoria, the number of owners corporations continues to increase. With this increase comes greater awareness by lot owners of the rights and responsibilities of owners corporations and we are seeing a trend in lot owners reviewing and holding owners corporations to account.
Free Property and Development Resources
Articles About Property and Development
Meet our team – Josh Ennis, Director & Solicitor
In my six years with Beck Legal, I’ve witnessed phenomenal growth and a commitment to a people-first approach that fuels our success. My focus ahead …
Stamp duty to be abolished for commercial properties
As part of the 2023-24 Budget released on Tuesday, the Victorian Government has announced that land transfer duty will be abolished for commercial and industrial …
Material facts when selling a property
When selling your property there is an obligation to tell purchasers of material facts about the property. Broadly speaking a material fact is anything known …
