Hornsby Conveyancing and Property Lawyers
Property lawyers at Parramatta Square, serving Hornsby and the Upper North Shore
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Hornsby Shire runs from apartment towers around Hornsby station to bush suburbs on the edge of Ku-ring-gai Chase and rural land around Galston and Arcadia. A purchase here can mean a strata scheme, a bushfire report or a rural zoning question.
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 Hornsby
- Bushfire prone land. Much of the shire borders national park. Bushfire controls affect building, extensions and insurance in suburbs such as Berowra and Hornsby Heights.
- Heritage conservation areas. Parts of Beecroft, Cheltenham and Pennant Hills sit in heritage conservation areas that control change.
- Apartments. Strata records, levies and defects, and the 2% building bond for residential buildings of four storeys or more.
- Rural land. In Galston, Arcadia and Dural, check what the rural zone allows, water supply and on-site sewage.
- Council boundaries. Some suburbs are split between Hornsby and neighbouring councils such as Ku-ring-gai and The Hills, so check which planning rules apply.
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 Hornsby
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 my solicitor for both purchasing and selling my property.”
Glenn Johnstone, Google review
Questions about conveyancing in Hornsby
How do I know if a Hornsby property is bushfire prone?
The planning certificate attached to the contract states it. A bushfire report may be needed for building work.
What is a heritage conservation area?
An area where council controls demolition and alterations to protect its character. It is shown on the planning certificate.
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: Property lawyers Parramatta | Northern Beaches | Central Coast | Contract review | Property lawyers Australia
From Our Clients
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