Property Lawyers for Canberra Property
Crown leases, seller reports, unapproved works and transfers
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Buying in Canberra means buying a lease. Residential land in the ACT is held under a Crown lease with a purpose clause, and the seller has to hand over a set of reports and searches before the property is offered. What those documents reveal, and what to do about it, is where a lawyer is useful.
Optimum Lawyers is a property law firm led by principal solicitor Wisam Assi. We act on ACT and NSW property, including for people moving between Sydney, Queanbeyan and Canberra.

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.
What a property lawyer adds
A conveyancer can process a simple ACT purchase well. A lawyer can also advise on what the lease, the reports and the building file mean for you, negotiate the contract, and act for you if a report proves wrong or the approvals do not match the house.
Matters we handle in Canberra
- Unapproved structures. The building file search shows what has been approved. Decks, carports, extensions and enclosed verandahs that do not match it are a common Canberra problem, for buyers and sellers.
- The Crown lease. The purpose clause sets what the block can be used for, and newer leases can carry building and development covenants with deadlines.
- Seller-supplied reports. The building and compliance inspection, pest report and energy efficiency rating come with the contract. We check what they say and what they leave out.
- Loose-fill asbestos. Older houses should be checked against the Affected Residential Premises Register before you offer.
- Units and off-the-plan. The unit plan, owners corporation minutes and levies, and for new developments, the sunset date and what the developer can change.
Cooling-off and exchange
The ACT cooling-off period is 5 business days after exchange, and you forfeit 0.25% of the price if you withdraw. It does not apply at auction. If a seller asks you to waive it, have the contract checked first.
Selling in Canberra
The required documents have to be attached to the contract before the property is offered for sale, including the lease, title, building and pest reports, energy rating and conveyancing enquiries. The buyer usually reimburses the cost of the reports at settlement. Every seller needs an ATO clearance certificate, or the buyer must withhold 15% of the price.
Transfers and ownership
We act on transfers between partners, after a separation, from a deceased estate, and into or out of a trust or self-managed super fund. ACT duty can apply even where no money changes hands, so get advice before anything is signed.
What clients say
“We've used his services on multiple properties on both local and interstate buying and selling”
Edgi Vega, Google review
Questions about property lawyers in Canberra
What happens if a Canberra house has unapproved works?
It depends on what the work is and what the contract says. It can affect the price, the sale terms and who pays to fix it. Raise it before exchange.
Is all land in Canberra leasehold?
Yes. Residential land in the ACT is held under a Crown lease.
How long is the cooling-off period in the ACT?
Five business days after exchange. You forfeit 0.25% of the price if you withdraw, and it does not apply at auction.
Can a NSW law firm act on a Canberra property?
Yes. A solicitor holding a current Australian practising certificate can act on property in any state or territory.
Related: Conveyancing Canberra | ACT interstate conveyancing | Property lawyers Sydney | Contract review | Property lawyers Australia
From Our Clients
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