Two options, contact the REIQ and buy a pad of forms if they are still available. Alternatively, contact one of the commercial rea's and they may be convinced to part with a copy.

JW, you would only be paying a v small% as they are not providing much other than the back of house (prelims  would account for 13% of the entire project and that would include a foreman, sheds, temps etc). As you would know as a qld pm, you need to be licenced, use your contacts or swing a favour.Keiko, some states do require that all classes of…[Read more]

If it is on his house you can rely on the contractor's trade licence. If it is on a block of units, then the same would apply (for a single trade).

Why bother with an outdated agreement?

Do one trade at a time, if it is feasible. Think about it this way, the time and cost (interest, lost rent etc) of is going to be much less if you engage a small local builder to co-ordinate all the trades that you have tendered and want to useand pay the builder  a small 'handling' margin as opposed to engaging them as the builder who undertakes…[Read more]

If you buy on the open market from a real estate agent then it is at arms length (providing that you aren't the vendor) ie your smsf can buy any property other than one owned by the members of the smsf.Can't you refinance under your current ownership without triggering cgt or stamp duty costs?If you must sell, why can't you sell your ppor into a…[Read more]

Totally agree with the above but will add: Does the lease provide for gst? If the lease is post July 2000 or drafted after the announcement of the GST proposal, then it should have a gst clause. Furthermore, if there has been a 'review opportunity' in an unbroken pre-gst lease, then gst would also apply (although it would be 'grossed-up'). A…[Read more]

Technically JW you will be required to engage a builder even if the work is not structural if it exceeds the value of work that may be undertaken without a DA/CC. An OB Licence is not applicable as this is classed as 'building work' which will require a builders licence to undertake – an OBL only applies to owner-occupied premises not…[Read more]

A couple of points:If it is sufficiently serious to warrant an engineer's report, then follow their advice. Has the engineer indicated whether the problem has been caused by footing failure or by the drying/wetting cycle of the reactive clay (or other material)? If this is a footing failure, then the cracks will only continue to the point of…[Read more]

Strata costs are widely variable however some generalisations to be aware of:Older buildings, if properly maintained, will have higher maintenance costs, or repairs when they crop up will cost more.Lifts/Pools/central air conditioning/24 hour concierge/security etc all increase the levies.High levels of absentee owners (ie lots of rentals) often…[Read more]

Yes and no. It depends.That is, there are two types of leases. Gross – the tenant pays you one figure which is inclusive of all outgoings except water use & electricity/phone. Nett – the tenant pays all or nominated outgoings ie insurance, rates, water, council, maintenance, land tax, management fees etc IF they are listed in the lease as payable…[Read more]

THere definitely is in NSW. Refer to the Fair Trading website, there is probably a link to 'selling your home' & your rights.

Troody, there are a few questions to ask for your own peace of mind: 'what rights do you have if there is no lease in place?', 'what is the period of notice required for the tenant?', 'is it possible that the tenant will agree to sign a lease for a period of one month?'. It is always best to cover your rights as the building owner as well as to…[Read more]

Buying a BA is personal preference.The downsides: you have several neighbours (and a lot of fence to replace), you have minimal street frontage, a long driveway, possible reduction in security as you are away from the street.Upsides: you are away from the street, quieter location, not bothered by neighbour going up and down the common…[Read more]

Richard, 90 day settlement, not on a std contract in NSW (at least), should be around 6 weeks only, so May will give a June settlement. As he points out you can't claim expenses until it is leased out so you may consider getting earlier settlement or early access to the premises to lease it out (with the vendor getting the rent up to settlement).…[Read more]

There are also changes to the planning system in NSW due to come into force at the end of Feb 10. Turn around time, even through council will be 10 days.. (I'll believe it when I see it).

Walls are defined by council as 'Structural ' regardless of whether it is a non-loadbearing or structural wall. Simply putting a wall up will give rise to issues including natural light, ventilation and depending upon the class of building: safety, egress, fire issues etc.A substandard/non-approved room will not add value at the time of sale any…[Read more]

Talk to your surveyor.

Benjamin Csikos wrote:
Hey guys, They both started with a hundred grand.The first one ends up with 200The second one ends up with 800.

Less when you pay  back the 300k you borrowed but it is still 500k compared to 200k.

If someone is to be your 'agent', then they are required to have an agency licence. You could always lease to the entity and they could offer a sublease to the tenant.