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Selling property in Victoria – S32 Vendor’s Statement


Selling property in Victoria – S32 Vendor’s Statement

Anyone who sells land in Victoria is required to disclose certain information to the purchaser by providing a disclosure statement. This statement is commonly known as a “vendor’s statement” and must be provided to the purchaser before the purchaser signs a contract for sale.

In October 2014 important changes were made to the information that must be disclosed in the vendor’s statement.

In December 2019 new vendor disclosure obligations were introduced regarding off the plan contracts for residential properties. The new requirements provide purchasers with remedies where disclosures are found to be inaccurate or different to the final registered documentation in the plan.

Vendors, purchasers and real estate agents should be aware of the updated requirements and ensure that the required documentation provided to purchasers complies with the vendors’ disclosure obligations.

 

Why is a vendor’s statement required?

A vendor’s statement discloses information not readily found by inspecting the property.

There is certain information that is known to the vendor that is difficult for a purchaser to discover, even after undertaking due diligence. This information gap puts the buyer at a disadvantage in deciding whether to buy a property and what price to pay.

The vendor’s statement increases the amount of information available to purchasers and will assist them in negotiating to purchase the property.

 

What changes have been made to vendor’s statements over the past?

The changes include the following:

  • a due diligence checklist prepared by Consumer Affairs Victoria which must be provided to purchasers.
  • Some provisions have been removed and terminology has been updated.
  • New disclosure requirements have been imposed.
  • Only services (gas, water, sewerage, telephone, and electricity) that are not connected must be disclosed.

 

Vendor’s statements for off the plan residential properties

Disclosure obligations to purchasers’ of off the plan residential properties are more complex as a potential purchaser cannot physically view the property they are buying.

Vendor statements for off the plan properties must include the following;

  • residential property lot number, location and area of the lot (This information

must be attached to the vendor’s statement).

  • draft floor and location plan for lots in proposed strata schemes.
  • details of site(s) of any proposed easements or covenants affecting the lot.

 

A vendor must also notify potential purchasers of any material particular changes to the plan, at least 21 days prior to completion. Prior to completion of the dwelling, the vendor must provide the purchaser with the registered plan and all documents registered to that plan.

 

To find out more detailed information about the above obligations regarding off the plan residential properties, we recommend you speak with one of our experienced property lawyers.

 

Preparation of the Vendor’s Statement?

A vendor’s statement is a legal document – it must be factually accurate and complete. If it contains false, incorrect, or insufficient information a purchaser may be able to withdraw from the sale or take legal action.

The vendor statement should always be prepared by a qualified lawyer to ensure that everything that needs to be disclosed is disclosed.

If you’re considering buying a property, it’s critical to get the vendor’s statement checked by your own lawyer.

 

Offences

It is an offence for a vendor to knowingly or recklessly supply false information or fail to supply all of the information required to be given in a vendor’s statement. The new provisions have increased the penalty that will apply if a vendor fails to disclose the required information.

It is now a specific offence to fail to give a purchaser a vendor’s statement signed by the vendor before the purchaser signs the contract of sale.

If the vendor commits any of the prescribed offences, a purchaser may be able to cancel the contract of sale which has been entered into on the basis of the information contained in the vendor’s statement.

To avoid the risk of a purchaser cancelling the contract, it is essential that vendor’s statements contain the required information.

 

Due Diligence Checklist

Consumer Affairs Victoria has developed a checklist to help identify a range of issues that may affect a property or impose restrictions or obligations on the property.

This checklist aims to help you identify whether any of these issues will affect you if you buy the property.

The checklist includes items that should be considered by a purchaser such as:

  • Living in an urban environment
  • Buying into an owners corporation
  • Buying in Growth areas
  • Flood and fire risk
  • Issues affecting rural properties
  • Earth resource activity, such as mining
  • Soil and groundwater contamination
  • Land boundaries
  • Planning controls affecting how the property is used, or the buildings on it
  • Proposed or granted planning permits
  • Safety
  • Building permits
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage and building plans
  • Insurance cover for recent building or renovation works
  • Connections for water, sewerage, electricity, gas, telephone and internet

 

The due diligence checklist must be made available to any prospective purchaser from the time the land is offered for sale.

It is the estate agent’s responsibility to provide the checklist if a licensed estate agent is acting for the vendor, otherwise the vendor is required to provide the checklist.

 

Does the checklist cover everything?

The checklist issues are only a starting point for the searches and enquiries that should be made when purchasing a property and you should always seek help from a lawyer if you are unsure how to proceed.

Examples of things not covered in the vendor’s statement include:

  • information on the condition of buildings.
  • whether the buildings comply with building regulations.
  • the accuracy of measurements on the title

 

If you are buying or selling property or would just like more information on the laws governing vendor’s statements please call us on (03) 9592 3356, email us at office@citypacific.com.au or contact us here.

Selling property in Victoria – S32 Vendor’s Statement : City Pacific Lawyers

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