When it comes to buying and selling property you want to be sure that it’s taken care of properly, right? You want to know that you’re working with someone who can do the job properly and who will help you to legally take care of your transactions. So, how do you make sure of that?
What is a Property Conveyancer?
First, let’s take a closer look at what a property conveyancer is. This is someone who is going to take care of the transfer of ownership between two parties. In the process of conveyancing there will be one person who is passing on the property and one who is gaining that property. For convenience sake we will refer to these individuals as the buyer and the seller though an exchange of money is not required for a legal conveyance.
The buyer and seller need to ensure that the property they are transferring is legally removed from the buyers name and put into the sellers name. While this can be done without a property conveyancer, it is generally not recommended. There is a lot involved in transferring ownership of property and the chances that something could be missed if not working with a professional are large.
Working with a property conveyancer will help you to ensure things are done properly. And if anything is not done properly you will have legal recourse to get it taken care of.
Becoming a Property Conveyancer Melbourne
If you are looking to become a property conveyancer in Melbourne there are a few requirements that must be followed.
- $2 million+ in professional indemnity insurance
- You must meet one of the following criteria:
- Completed the equivalent of 12 months’ full-time experience within the last five years, carrying out conveyancing work under the supervision of either: 1. an Australian legal practitioner who has a practicing certificate that authorizes them to supervise legal practice by others, or 2. a fully licensed conveyancer in Victoria.
- Successfully completed a recognised law degree and either: 1. an approved practical legal training or corresponding requirements, or 2. the equivalent of 12 months’ full-time experience within the last five years carrying out conveyancing work under the supervision of either: 1. an Australian legal practitioner who has a practicing certificate that authorizes them to supervise legal practice by others, or 2. a fully licensed conveyancer in Victoria.
- Held a conveyancer’s license in Victoria in the last five years.
3. You must have one of the following qualifications. 1. Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing from the Business Services Training Package (Version 7.0) which requires 15 units of specific study 2. Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing from the Business Services Training Package (Version 6.1) which requires 18 units of specific study, completed prior to 19 April 2022 3. Business Services Training Package, 8 units of specific study, completed prior to 31 December 2018 4. Financial Services Training Package, 6 units of specific study, completed prior to 31 December 2012 5. Diploma of Financial Services through RMIT University/Victoria University, started prior to 1 July 2008 6. Associate/Advanced Diploma of Business started prior to 1 July 2008, including 1 prescribed trust account
Upon completion of the required steps, an individual will be eligible to apply for a Conveyancers License in Victoria.
Hiring a Property Conveyancer
What does all this mean when you’re looking to hire someone for your property conveyancing Melbourne? It means that getting licensed as a property conveyancer isn’t easy. It takes work, intention, and effort. This is someone who is dedicated to taking care of your property transfers. And it means that this is someone that you want to look at more closely.
Before you hire a property conveyancer make sure that you are looking at their qualifications. And the number one qualification you should look for is a license. These are individuals who want to make sure they’re doing the best job for you. That’s definitely a good reason for you to look at them closely when you do need this type of work done.
But, of course, you don’t just want to look at a license and nothing else. You also want to look at their track record. Have they been in the business long? Have they done a decent number of conveyances in the area? Do they have good reviews from people who have used their services? The answers to all of these questions will help you decide if they’re actually the best person for you to work with.
Consider also the type of property that is being conveyed. If you are planning to buy or sell a property that is high value you want to work with someone who has done conveyancing for high value property before. The same is true if you have a complicated situation such as multiple owners of a property or multiple unrelated buyers. You want to know the conveyancer you hire can handle any of the intricacies involved.
Taking the Right Steps
When you’re ready to hire the best property conveyancer Melbourne has to offer don’t rush into it. You want to get the buying and selling process taken care of quickly, but you don’t want to hire someone just to get through the process. Take your time and hire someone who’s going to do the job right.
You don’t want to get to some point down the road and find out that the property you thought you sold off is actually still legally yours or that the property you thought you purchased is not legally yours. The best conveyancing Melbourne has to offer can help protect you from these situations. They can also ensure that the property you’re buying or selling is owned free and clear and that the sale (or other form of transfer) is legal on its own.
Everything goes smoother when you have a professional on your side to facilitate. All you need to do is find the right one.