Underquoting laws introduced in 2016 made it an offence for real estate agents selling residential properties in NSW to understate a property’s likely selling price.

DA (development application) processes have been given a fillip under changes to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act which took effect this month.

The phone rings and you pick it up. It’s your father, and he tells you the same cat story for the 10th time this week. In fact, you’re not even sure if the cat story happened this week, or last month, or last year or…  Your father is displaying signs of memory loss and dementia.

The new Strata Scheme Management Act 2015 and Strata Scheme Development Act 2015 commenced on 30 November 2016.

Hicksons congratulates Amelie Housing, the community housing company of the Trustees of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (NSW), who have been appointed to provide 500 social and affordable housing dwellings.

On 1 December 2015, the most significant changes to Australia’s foreign investment framework in over 40 years were introduced. The reforms provided for stronger enforcement of the rules, a better resourced system and clearer rules for foreign investors.

Note for the diary – major changes to NSW government’s planning laws will be arriving very shortly.

A significant development opportunity has emerged for the retirement and aged care sector, as TAFE NSW opens its property portfolio up for aged care development.

Foreign purchasers of residential land in NSW are now exposed to additional stamp duty and land tax charges, following changes to State taxes as part of the NSW 2016 State Budget. Foreign purchasers must pay a stamp duty surcharge of 4 per cent on the acquisition of residential real estate. A land tax surcharge of 0.75 per cent has also been imposed on the taxable value of residential land owned by foreign persons.

It seems odd that anybody would reject an inheritance, but for some beneficiaries, there are valid reasons they do not wish to receive their inheritance.

From 1 May 2016, new verification of identity rules intended to reduce the risk of identity fraud and the registration of fraudulent land transactions apply to land transactions in New South Wales.

If you are one of the many homeowners in New South Wales whose pride and joy is a swimming pool or spa pool in your backyard then today (29th April 2016) represents a significant milestone.

Legislative instruments, such as class orders, are repealed automatically, or sunset, after 10 years, unless action is taken to extend them.