Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions most Australians will ever make. While inspections and finance are important, there are also a number of legal and planning checks that should be carried out before you sign a contract. These checks give you peace of mind, protect you from costly surprises, and help ensure the property is exactly what it appears.
To avoid costly mistakes, there are several essential checks every buyer should complete before signing a contract.
The first step is a title search, which confirms who owns the property and reveals any mortgages, caveats, covenants, or easements. Without it, you could unknowingly buy land with hidden debts or restrictions. A plan search should follow, as it confirms the exact boundaries and layout of the lot, helping prevent future disputes over fences, access, or shared driveways.
Many titles also carry covenants, easements and potentially other restrictions and obligations. Covenants restrict how land can be used – for example, preventing subdivision or requiring certain building materials — while easements grant rights for utilities or access. Both can limit what you can do with your property. It’s equally important to check the planning and zoning controls, which determine land use and building construction and may impose height controls and overlays for bushfire risk, flooding, or heritage. These can restrict building and development, even if the property looks perfect on inspection.
In addition to planning and legal checks, building and pest inspection are essential to identify issues like structural damage, termites, or safety hazards. You should also confirm council rates and utilities are up to date, as in some cases unpaid charges stay with the property. Finally, consider environmental and location factors such as flood risk, bushfire overlays, or major roadworks, which may affect both your lifestyle and the property’s future value.
By carrying out these checks, you’ll protect yourself from hidden risks and buy with confidence.
