The Legal Requirements Behind Vendor Statements
In Victoria, sellers must provide a Section 32 vendor statement before a contract of sale is signed. This document exists to protect buyers by requiring disclosure of material facts about the property. Similar disclosure requirements exist in other Australian states under different names.
The vendor statement must include the certificate of title, planning certificate, and details of any mortgages, charges, or other encumbrances. Sellers must also disclose information about services connected to the property, outgoings such as rates and owners corporation fees, and any notices or orders affecting the land.
Common Issues We Identify in Section 32 Reviews
Our lawyers regularly uncover issues that buyers would otherwise miss. Undisclosed easements can prevent you from building where you planned. Restrictive covenants might prohibit certain uses or require approval for renovations. Planning overlays can affect development potential and future resale value.
We often find incomplete disclosure of owners corporation matters, missing building permits for additions or renovations, and outdated planning certificates. Each of these issues creates risk for the buyer. Some can be addressed through contract conditions. Others might be serious enough to reconsider the purchase entirely.
How Our Property Contract Review Process Works
Submit your Section 32 and contract of sale through our online portal. A property lawyer from our team reviews every document against the legal requirements and common problem areas. Within 48 hours, you receive a detailed written report.
Your report identifies issues requiring attention, questions to raise with the vendor or agent, and recommended contract conditions. We use plain language throughout. You'll understand exactly what we found and what it means for your purchase.
Fixed Fee Pricing With No Hidden Costs
Our legal contract review cost is fixed before we start. You know exactly what you'll pay regardless of how complex the documents are. This approach eliminates the uncertainty of hourly billing and lets you budget accurately for your property purchase costs.
The fixed fee includes our initial review, your written report, and follow-up questions about our findings. If issues arise that require negotiation with the vendor's solicitor, we can provide a separate quote for that work.
When to Get Your Section 32 Reviewed
Request your review as soon as you receive the vendor statement. For private treaty sales, this gives you time to investigate issues before signing. For auctions, get the Section 32 reviewed before auction day. Once the hammer falls, you're committed regardless of what the documents contain.
Don't rely on the selling agent's assurances. Agents work for the vendor, not you. Independent legal review is the only way to confirm what you're actually buying matches your expectations.
