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Moving into a retirement village can be a very positive lifestyle change – community, amenities and support are often key attractions, and rightly so. But retirement village contracts in NSW can be complex, with fees and rules that operate differently to an ordinary residential lease or strata purchase. 1. What is a “retirement village contract” in NSW? In NSW, retirement villages are regulated under the Retirement Villages Act 1999 (NSW) and its regulations. A re

What is land tax? Land tax is an annual tax payable on the taxable value of land you own in NSW, assessed as at 31 December each year. It is different from council rates and is usually relevant for investment properties, multiple property holdings, and other non-exempt land. What land is usually exempt? Most owners won’t pay land tax on their home because the ‘principal place of residence’ exemption applies. Certain primary production and other special categories may al

Buying a home or other piece of real estate is very exciting but still a big commitment, right? In NSW, the standard position is that contracts for residential purchases come with a cooling-off period. This gives the purchaser only a short window to reconsider after contracts are exchanged (ie signed and dated). Here’s a helpful overview, in case you’re wondering what a cooling-off period is or if you’d like a refresher: What is a cooling-off period? A cooling-off perio

Following the Budget legislation being passed on 26 June 2026, the restriction on SMSF borrowing for non-‘business real property’ (ie. residential property, generally speaking) comes into effect on 10 August 2026. SMSF borrowers have until 9 August 2026 to enter into a contract for sale to purchase residential property. The last business day to transact in this regard is Friday, 7 August 2026. Any SMSFs looking to finance a residential purchase should take prompt action w

1) What is an option to renew? An “option to renew” gives a tenant the right (not the obligation) to extend their lease for a further term, provided they follow the process set out in the lease. It can be a valuable protection for tenants and an important planning tool for landlords. If it applies, an option is typically included as a clause in the lease, specifying: a further term (e.g. “+ 3 years”), and the method for determining rent for the new term (e.g

Well, that came out of left field. Another kick! Labor and the Greens have done a deal on Tuesday just gone (23 June 2026) as part of Labor’s budget overhaul regarding negative gearing, taxation of trusts, and the CGT discount. Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) will no longer be able to borrow to fund a residential property investment purchase. Apparently it is in aid of making it easier for Australians to purchase their first home. What?! Where is the data to

Thinking or dreaming about buying your first home, but don’t think you have enough deposit? This is really worth a look. The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme can help eligible first home buyers purchase a home with a deposit as low as 5%, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This is because the Government guarantees part of the loan (subject to conditions). How it works You contribute a minimum 5% deposit You take out a home loan with a participatin

From 1 July 2026, new requirements come into effect, which impact solicitors, conveyancers, real estate agents and accountants. The requirements relate to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML / CTF). They are administered by the regulator, AUSTRAC (which stands for the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre). These requirements have already been in place for several years for banks, other financial institutions, casinos, digital currency