Real Estate Law

Property Transactions and Transfers

【Complex Transaction Process, Critical Legal Protection】 In Australia, the property buying and selling process encompasses multiple stages including contract review, title investigation, stamp duty declaration, fund settlement, and title registration. Even slight oversights can lead to property disputes or economic losses.

AHL Legal provides comprehensive property transfer services for buyers, sellers, developers, and overseas clients. We ensure each transaction is legal and compliant, complete settlement procedures on time, avoid potential legal risks, and safeguard clients' assets. Whether you are buying your first property, purchasing for self-occupation, or commercial investment, we can provide professional and detailed legal support.

Our legal team will explain contract terms to clients item by item, identify potential legal risks, assist in coordinating with banks, real estate agents, and the other party's lawyers, ensuring the entire transaction process is smooth and error-free. We also provide personalized advice, such as how to arrange joint ownership, how to address title defects, whether to establish a trust for holding property, etc., helping clients make property decisions with peace of mind.

For overseas buyers, we are also familiar with the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval process and can assist clients in completing declarations smoothly, avoiding transaction delays or penalties due to procedural issues.

CBD High-Density Residential Development

Height and Density Limitation Challenges

Residential projects located in city centres often face policy restrictions on building height and density. In prime areas where every inch of land is valuable, whether a limited plot is developed into 10 or 20 storeys has a significant impact on land use efficiency and development returns.

Securing Additional Floor Approvals

AHL Legal has successfully secured breakthrough results for clients in many such projects. For example, in one project originally restricted to six storeys, with the assistance of our legal team, approval was ultimately granted for construction up to 14 storeys, effectively enhancing the project's value and investment return.

Land and Environment Court Litigation

Strict Design Approval Standards

Local committees often require that new building designs harmonise with the surrounding architectural styles during the approval process. For instance, proposals for modern steel structures in areas characterised by traditional red-brick buildings may be rejected on the grounds of "style inconsistency."

Advocating for High-End Designs

Such challenges are particularly common in high-end residential or commercial developments. Developers often invest substantial funds to engage internationally renowned designers, only to face rejection due to committee members' limited professional judgement in architectural aesthetics.
AHL Legal has extensive litigation experience before the Land and Environment Court, specialising in advocating for clients and ensuring that projects proceed smoothly.

Government Acquisition and Compensation

Advocating for Fair Compensation

In cases of infrastructure development (such as highways or large shopping centres), governments often acquire private land at prices significantly below market value, leading to infringements of property owners’ rights.

AHL Legal has successfully represented landowners on numerous occasions, negotiating with government authorities over acquisition compensation. We have secured reasonable compensation amounts reflecting true commercial value, and in some cases, have helped clients obtain final settlements worth up to three times the original government offer.

Special Industry Operating Licenses

Licence Applications and Defence Advocacy

In Australia, operating certain specialised industries (such as adult entertainment venues) requires prior approval from local committees.

AHL Legal has extensive experience in this area, having successfully assisted proprietors with multiple business licence applications. We have also provided defence for unlicensed operators, achieving charge dismissals in several cases and enabling clients to regain legal operating status.