This checklist will help you to avoid many mistakes made by vendor’s practitioners in conveyancing transactions.
This checklist covers:
Before 1 July 2026, an owner-builder selling a home had to be covered by the required domestic building insurance before sale and give the purchaser (prior to sale) a certificate of that insurance (former section 137B(2)(b) of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) (Building Act)). That insurance could only be claimed on if the owner-builder died, disappeared or became insolvent.
From 1 July 2026, section 137B(2)(b) requires the vendor to have complied with the requirements of the statutory insurance scheme (SIS)¹. The SIS is a scheme of first resort, meaning it doesn’t require the owner-builder to be dead, missing or insolvent before making a claim.
Great news for purchasers, right? Not necessarily, as the SIS is only required for a more limited range of owner-builder work when compared to the old regime.
Great news for vendors then? Again, no. The legislation solves some problems with the previous section 137B but owner-builder requirements still need to be carefully navigated prior to selling a property.
A section 32 that gets the owner-builder position wrong lets the purchaser avoid the contract at any time before settlement (section 137B(3)). The vendor also commits an offence (section 137B(2)). The LPLC sees many claims each year where the vendor’s solicitor did not properly advise their client about what an owner-builder vendor needs to include in the vendor statement, and these claims have been increasing as the property market has softened.
Legislative references in this article are to the Building Act, unless otherwise specified.
Practitioners should be aware of foreign investment risk management issues.
Join Stephen Bubb and Jamie McCallum as they examine key conveyancing claims trends identified by LPLC, uncover common pitfalls for practitioners, and share practical strategies to help mitigate risk.
We are united in our shock and sorrow following the horrific attacks that took place at Bondi Beach yesterday evening.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those who have been tragically affected by this abhorrent violence. This has particularly impacted the Jewish community of Sydney and across Australia, a community that is an integral and cherished part of our multicultural society.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all who have been affected by this senseless violence. Everyone has the right to safety, security and freedom from fear.
We condemn these acts of antisemitism, extremism and violence in the strongest possible terms. We reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law, which underpins the safety and security of all in Australia.
We are united in our resolve that such acts of violence and hate will not undermine the values of inclusion and fundamental freedoms, including of religion and other rights, which define our community.
The LPLC is proud to present the Annual Report for 2024-2025. This high was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 12th of November 2025.
Cybercriminals are creating fake solicitor websites with domain impersonation.
