Property Law

Our experienced Property team provide an end-to-end conveyancing service in all conveyancing matters ranging from small residential property to large scale property developments.

Partnered with PEXA, we have created systems to enable cost-effective and solution-oriented service to the highest quality. We further take great pride in building strong relationships with our clients to achieve the best possible result.

We can provide advice and assistance in respect to all property transactions (acquisition and disposition),  whether the property is located in metro Melbourne or regional Victoria.

Our expertise include:

• Residential property whether an ‘off-the-plan’ new home, an established property (Apartment in complex buildings, Strata title townhouses or stand-alone house),  or vacant land.
• Commercial property, industrial warehouses.
• Retirement Village (leasehold or with individual title).
• Company Share Title property and Stratum Title property.

Please feel free to contact one of our experienced Property lawyers to discuss how we can assist you with your conveyancing matter.

Our experienced Property lawyers at Pearce Webster Dugdales are well equipped to provide advise and assistance in relation to all aspects of Leasing, whether that be for commercial premises or a residential property.

Whether you are a Landlord or a Tenant, we can assist you with all your leasing matters, including the new rental laws which came into effect in March 2021 expanding the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.

Please feel free to contact one of our experienced Property lawyers to discuss how we can assist you with your leasing matter.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Victorian Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 government departments can reclaim private land for the purpose of public interest.  This can involve acquisition and/or demolition of a property.

Generally speaking, an acquisition/demolition is only to be for public interest purposes, such as the construction of roads, railways and other infrastructure facilities. In practice, the government departments likely to be involved in this process can include VicRoads, the local council, the Water corporation, a level crossing project and so on.

In Victoria, compulsory acquisition/demolition usually stems from the government’s Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) plan. The land in this plan is reserved and may be expropriated for public purposes in the future. If the government has any infrastructure plans, the houses in the relevant area will be included in the local government’s PAO plan. In other words, as long as your house is in the PAO plan, it may be forcibly acquired/demolished by the government.

It is generally difficult for a property owner to oppose the compulsory acquisition/demolition, however they have a right to seek compensation.  A property owner can either choose to accept the government’s compensation offer, or they can choose to disagree and make a counter offer to the government. Since the government will also compensate home-owners for reasonable legal fees it is strongly recommended that they obtain a sworn valuation report on the property and consult a legal practitioner to before engaging in the negotiation/counter-offer process.  If agreement cannot be reached on compensation, the case can be sent to VCAT or the Supreme Court of Victoria for a final decision.

Please feel free to contact one of our experienced Property lawyers to discuss how we can assist you if your property has been compulsorily acquired.

Adverse Possession essentially allows a person to claim title to land that is not owned by them where that person has had exclusive possession of that land for a period of 15 years without the consent of its true owner.  Adverse Possession commonly arises in instances where fences or buildings encroach over a title boundary, or where someone has fenced off and used an area of land that does not belong to them.

Our experienced Property lawyers can advise and assist you through the process of making a claim or challenging an Adverse Possession claim that has been made on your land.

Please feel free to contact one of our Property lawyers to discuss your adverse possession claim.