Property and conveyancing
Buying or selling property in Western Australia
A property transaction begins before settlement. The contract, special conditions, finance, inspections, title and deadlines can affect your position. Obtain advice early and keep your lawyer informed when circumstances change.
Conflict clearance and written engagement are required before the firm acts.Quick answer
Do I need a lawyer or a conveyancer to buy or sell property in Western Australia?
In Western Australia both a lawyer and a settlement agent can attend to settlement. A property lawyer can also advise on the contract terms, special conditions, finance and inspection deadlines, and related issues such as ownership structure, family loans and estate planning. Advice is most useful before you sign, or as soon as you receive a contract.
- Both a lawyer and a settlement agent can attend to settlement in WA.
- A lawyer can also review contract terms, special conditions and deadlines.
- Finance and inspection clauses have strict dates that can affect your deposit.
- Transfer duty, registration and search fees are payable on top of professional fees.
- It is usually better to obtain advice before signing than after.
Jurisdiction: Western Australia.
If you are buying
- Confirm the correct buyer name and ownership structure.
- Understand finance and inspection conditions.
- Identify title restrictions, leases or encumbrances.
- Arrange identity and settlement documentation promptly.
- Document any money contributed by parents or relatives.
If you are selling
- Confirm title names and authority to sell.
- Disclose relevant matters accurately.
- Understand inclusions, exclusions and special conditions.
- Prepare discharge-of-mortgage and identity documents early.
- Obtain estate, survivorship or family-law documents where ownership is affected.
How much does conveyancing cost in Perth?
A conveyancing quote should separate the professional fee from government charges, electronic-settlement charges, searches and other disbursements. The final cost depends on the transaction and agreed scope, not merely the property price. For buyers, transfer duty (administered by RevenueWA) is usually the largest single cost and scales with the price.
- Professional fee and GST.
- Title and statutory searches.
- Verification-of-identity costs.
- Electronic settlement (PEXA) charges.
- Landgate and government registration fees.
- Transfer duty for buyers - use the RevenueWA calculator; first-home and other concessions may apply.
- Whether pre-signing contract advice is included.
Fees and scope
Legal Care does not publish fixed prices online. After an initial consultation we provide a written, fixed-fee quote separating the professional fee from disbursements and government charges.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer or a settlement agent?+
Both can attend to settlement in WA. A lawyer can also advise on contract terms, special conditions, disputes and related issues such as ownership structure, family loans and estate planning. Confirm scope before engaging.
Can conditions be added after signing?+
Changes to a signed contract generally require the agreement of the other party. It is usually better to address finance, inspection and special conditions before signing.
What if finance is not approved in time?+
Finance clauses have strict dates. If approval is at risk, seek advice before the deadline, because missing it can affect your rights and deposit.
Who pays government charges?+
Transfer duty, registration and search fees are generally payable by the relevant party in addition to professional fees. These should be set out separately in your costs information.
How much does conveyancing cost in Perth?+
A quote separates the professional fee from disbursements (searches, PEXA, Landgate) and, for buyers, transfer duty - which scales with the price and is usually the largest cost. Legal Care does not publish fixed prices online; after an initial consultation we provide a written, fixed-fee quote with clear inclusions and exclusions.