A HUGE WELCOME to our first Newsletter since the launch of Team Oz in May 2007. To celebrate our launch we are offering A GIFT to new clients. This is an exciting time for us as we build up our national online legal conveyancing practice. Oz Legals 4 You is a unique legal firm, established primarily for dealing with conveyancing transactions. Our Principal/Director has 14 years experience as a lawyer, and has managed her own practice for almost nine years.

Feel free to browse our website. You will see that we are establishing contacts nationally…..so wherever a home is situated, we have a team of conveyancing specialists who will assist you in selling, or buying, a home. All conveyancing transactions are conducted, or supervised, by a qualified lawyer holding Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Our efficient systems ensure that we can smoothly track your conveyancing experience from start to successful finish. We know that clients want to be kept informed of the progress of their sale or purchase, and to be able to communicate with their legal adviser when they require assistance or advice.

If you have any questions on the conveyancing process, please use the email facility on our website, and we will answer your query promptly.

NOW - OUR SPECIAL LAUNCH GIFT FOR NEW CLIENTS *

For all new clients to Oz Legals 4 You we offer a discount of 10%
($85.00 -$95.00) off your legal costs (buying or selling)

If you use the services of Oz Homes 4 You to list or purchase your home,
we offer another discount of 5% ($45.00 - $55.00)

An additional discount of 5% ($45.00 - $55.00) is offered
if you use the services of other Team Oz members

Can you afford not to use the services of Team Oz?
Contact us today…this offer can’t last!
If you’re not currently in the market for buying or selling,
tell a friend who is

* These discounts are exclusive of GST and expire on 31 March 2008

Smoke alarms – Obligations when selling property

The NSW Government has made it compulsory to install smoke alarms in homes and other places where people sleep. This obligation is imposed by the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Smoke Alarms) Regulation 2006 (“the EPA Regulation”). The EPA Regulation sets out the types of smoke alarms that are required for different types of properties, and commenced on 01 May 2006. The six month period of grace has now expired, and the legal obligation to install smoke alarms commenced on 01 November 2006.

A statement by the vendor of a property will have to be attached to the contract for sale (if the property being sold is one which, under the EPA Regulation, will require smoke alarms to be installed. The statement must say that the property complies with the new EPA Regulation. If no statement is attached to the contract then a purchaser may rescind the contract.

It is an offence to attach a statement which the vendor knows to be incorrect (maximum penalty 5 penalty units - $550) For details on which types of properties require smoke alarms, the type of smoke alarms required and their location visit http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au.

Mortgage duty to be abolished

From 01 September 2007 mortgage duty will not be chargeable if the mortgage secures an advance or advances made for the purpose of “owner occupied housing” and no other advance. Borrowers must be natural persons. Where the mortgagor is a natural person, the mortgage can be registered without having to be stamped by the Office of State Revenue.

From 01 July 2008 mortgage due is not chargeable if the mortgage secures an advance or advances made for the purpose of ”investment housing” and no other advance. Borrowers must be natural persons.

From 01 July 2009 mortgage duty is abolished. Mortgage duty will not be charged on advances made after 01 July 2009.
For further details go to http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au

NEXT MONTH : The High Court decision in Black v Garnock [2007] HCA 57. The decision raises important issues about the conduct of sales and purchases in New South Wales such as the prudence of lodging a caveat on behalf of a purchaser immediately after exchange.

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

“If you focus on what you’ve left behind,
you’ll never move forward”