Chatswood Conveyancing and Property Lawyers
Property lawyers for Chatswood and the North Shore
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Chatswood is the North Shore's biggest apartment hub, built around its Metro and train station. Around it, Willoughby, Lane Cove and Ku-ring-gai are mostly family homes, many in heritage conservation areas or on bushland edges.
Optimum Lawyers is a property law firm in Parramatta Square, led by principal solicitor Wisam Assi. You can meet us in Parramatta or deal with us entirely by phone, email and video, and NSW settlements are electronic.

Send us the contract before you exchange
We offer a free initial contract assessment. It is a brief first look at whether the contract appears ready for a full paid legal review. It is not the full review, and it is not free conveyancing.
Checks that are specific to Chatswood
- Apartments and off-the-plan. Strata records, levies and defects, the 2% building bond, and the sunset date and disclosure statement for off-the-plan units.
- Off-the-plan. 10 business days cooling-off, and no sunset clause rescission without your consent or a Supreme Court order.
- Heritage conservation areas. Parts of Willoughby and much of Ku-ring-gai have heritage controls that limit change.
- Bushfire prone land. Streets bordering Lane Cove National Park, Garigal National Park and Middle Harbour can be bushfire prone.
- Several councils. Willoughby, Lane Cove, Ku-ring-gai and North Sydney each have their own planning rules and records.
NSW contract basics
- The contract comes first. A NSW property cannot be advertised until the contract has been prepared, so it can be reviewed before you make an offer.
- Cooling-off. 5 business days on a private sale, ending at 5pm on the fifth business day. You forfeit 0.25% of the price if you withdraw. It is 10 business days for off-the-plan purchases.
- Waivers and auctions. A section 66W certificate removes the cooling-off period, so sign one only after the contract has been checked. There is no cooling-off at auction.
Selling in Chatswood
The contract, with its prescribed documents including the title search and planning certificate, must be ready before the property is advertised. Every seller needs an ATO clearance certificate, or the buyer must withhold 15% of the price at settlement.
Transfers without a sale
We also act on transfers between partners, after a separation, from a deceased estate, and into or out of a trust or self-managed super fund. NSW duty can apply even where no money changes hands, so get advice before anything is signed.
Lawyer or conveyancer?
A conveyancer can handle a simple purchase well. A property lawyer can also advise on the contract before you sign, negotiate its terms, and act for you if the sale is disputed.
What clients say
“Wisam has been an invaluable partner throughout both my property buying and selling journeys.”
Katrina Ong, Google review
Questions about conveyancing in Chatswood
What is the strata building bond?
For residential buildings of four storeys or more, the developer lodges 2% of the contract price as security for defects found in the first two years.
How do I know if a North Shore house is in a heritage area?
The planning certificate attached to the contract shows heritage items and conservation areas.
How long is the cooling-off period in NSW?
Five business days on a private sale, ending at 5pm on the fifth business day. You forfeit 0.25% of the price if you withdraw. There is none at auction.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. Documents can be signed electronically and NSW settlements are completed electronically. You are welcome to meet us at Parramatta Square.
Related: Hornsby | Northern Beaches | Property lawyers Sydney
From Our Clients
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