You need a property solicitor near me if you’re buying, selling or leasing commercial or retail premises in Sydney or anywhere else in NSW. The job covers contract review, lease negotiation, settlement, title transfer and risk advice – everything between the agent’s handshake and the day you collect the keys or hand them over. Sarah Walsh acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Sydney CBD and NSW, handling conveyancing and commercial leasing from one firm.
A property solicitor reviews the contract or lease before you sign it, negotiates better terms, spots hidden costs, arranges settlement through PEXA, deals with the bank and the other side’s lawyer, and makes sure title transfers cleanly. On a commercial lease the work includes reviewing the disclosure statement, negotiating rent-free periods and make-good clauses, and registering the lease with NSW Land Registry Services. You pay a fixed fee, know the cost upfront, and avoid the expense of fixing problems after exchange.
Key Takeaways
- A property solicitor reviews contracts and leases, negotiates terms, and handles settlement and title transfer
- Sarah Walsh acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Sydney and NSW from one firm
- Fixed fees mean you know the cost upfront before the work starts
- Lease work includes negotiating rent-free periods, outgoings, make-good and registration with Land Registry Services
- Settlement is done online in PEXA so you don’t attend in person
What a Property Solicitor Does for Buyers
The solicitor’s first job is reading the contract the vendor prepared and telling you what it actually says. Most buyers never read it themselves – they trust the agent’s summary – and that is where problems start. A contract for sale of land in NSW runs to dozens of pages, contains special conditions that shift risk, and often references documents the vendor hasn’t attached. The solicitor reviews the contract, orders title and drainage searches, checks whether easements or covenants restrict what you can build or do on the land, and advises whether the terms are fair or weighted against you.
Once you know the risks the solicitor negotiates amendments. Common changes include extending the finance period, removing unfair sunset clauses, adding a building and pest inspection clause if one is missing, or deleting a term that makes you pay the vendor’s legal costs. On residential property in NSW the cooling-off period gives you five business days to pull out after exchange, but you lose 0.25% of the purchase price. On commercial property there is generally no cooling-off, so the contract has to be right before you exchange.
After exchange the solicitor lodges your stamp duty application with Revenue NSW, does Verification of Identity, liaises with your bank to arrange the mortgage and payout authority, calculates settlement adjustments for rates and strata levies, attends settlement in PEXA, and gives you a post-settlement report once title is registered in your name. Settlement figures are sent the week before so you know exactly what to transfer. Sarah Walsh handles the whole process from contract to registration, and because settlement is online you don’t need to attend a physical appointment.
What a Property Solicitor Does for Sellers
If you’re selling, the solicitor prepares the contract for sale of land before the property is advertised. In NSW you cannot legally advertise a home or commercial premises for sale until the contract is with the agent. The solicitor drafts the contract terms, orders a title search and planning certificate, attaches copies of strata documents if the property is in a scheme, and makes sure every document the buyer is entitled to see is included in the contract. Missing documents delay exchange and give the buyer leverage to renegotiate the price.
Once a buyer makes an offer the solicitor negotiates the contract terms with the buyer’s lawyer. The buyer will often ask for a longer settlement, a building and pest clause, or changes to special conditions. The solicitor advises which requests are reasonable and which shift too much risk, and pushes back on unfair terms. After exchange the solicitor liaises with your bank to arrange payout of your mortgage, calculates what you will receive after adjustments and agent commission, and attends settlement in PEXA to transfer title and receive the sale proceeds.
Sarah Walsh acts for sellers across Sydney and NSW, including investors selling tenanted properties and vendors dealing with family law or deceased estate complications. The firm handles the legal work while your agent handles marketing and open homes. Settlement is done online, funds are disbursed the same day, and you receive a post-settlement report once the matter is finalised. The fixed fee covers everything from preparing the contract to post-settlement disbursement.
What a Property Solicitor Does for Commercial and Retail Leases
Leasing work is different from conveyancing because no title transfers – you’re negotiating the terms you will occupy under, not buying the building. A commercial or retail lease is a binding contract that runs for years, sets your rent increases, controls what you can do with the space, and determines what you pay when you leave. Most tenants sign the lease the agent gives them without reading it properly, then discover three years in that the rent review clause is harsher than they thought or that the make-good obligation will cost them tens of thousands to meet.
For tenants, Sarah Walsh discusses what you need from the lease, reviews the Lease Terms Sheet the landlord prepared, and advises whether it meets your requirements. She negotiates amendments – longer rent-free periods, lower outgoings contributions, the right to sublet or assign without unreasonable landlord refusal, and fairer dispute resolution terms. Under the NSW Retail Leases Act 1994, retail tenants get additional protections including a five-year minimum term, a disclosure statement, and limits on what the landlord can charge for lease preparation. The solicitor checks the landlord has complied with those requirements and that the disclosure statement matches the lease.
For landlords, the solicitor drafts a commercial or retail lease suited to the premises, liaises with the leasing agent to prepare the Lease Terms Sheet, negotiates changes the tenant requests, and makes sure the lease protects your position if the tenant defaults or wants to leave early. Once the lease is signed Sarah Walsh facilitates registration with NSW Land Registry Services. Leases over three years including option periods must generally be registered. The work also covers assignment when a business is sold and the lease transfers to the new owner, and lease renewals when an existing tenant extends.
| Service | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Buying | Contract review, negotiation, searches, stamp duty, settlement, title registration |
| Selling | Contract preparation, negotiation, bank payout, settlement, funds disbursement |
| Commercial Lease (Tenant) | Review, negotiation, advice on obligations, lease execution, registration |
| Retail Lease (Tenant) | Disclosure statement review, Retail Leases Act compliance, negotiation, registration |
| Lease Drafting (Landlord) | Lease preparation, Lease Terms Sheet, negotiation, execution, registration |
How Sarah Walsh Can Help
Sarah Walsh acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Sydney and NSW. She is a property lawyer, not only a conveyancer, so one firm handles your purchase, your sale and the lease on it, for either side. You pay a fixed fee, know the cost upfront, and get a solicitor with over a decade of specialised experience in property law who has worked on multimillion-dollar deals at one of Australia’s largest law firms. Caitlin Ireland and Jessica Rosenbaum handle matters from contract through to settlement, and Sarah personally advises on every lease and conveyancing transaction.
Book an initial chat with Sarah online, call 0493 291 572, or email sarah@sarahwalshconveyancing.com.au. Offices are in Sydney CBD, Edgecliff, Pyrmont, Neutral Bay and North Strathfield. Meetings are by appointment. Read how the firm handles your property transaction or check what to prepare before conveyancing starts.
Common Questions About Property Solicitors in NSW
I need a property lawyer in Sydney – what should I look for?
Look for a solicitor who specialises in property law, offers a fixed fee, and has experience with the type of transaction you’re doing – residential conveyancing, commercial leasing, or retail leasing. Check they are admitted in NSW, can explain the contract in plain English, and will personally review your matter rather than handing it to an assistant. Sarah Walsh is a property lawyer with over a decade of specialised experience in conveyancing and leasing.
Is it better to use a solicitor or conveyancer?
A solicitor can handle conveyancing, leasing, dispute resolution and any legal complication that comes up during the transaction. A licensed conveyancer is limited to conveyancing only and cannot give advice on leases, estate planning, or complex title issues. If you’re buying or selling a property with a lease attached, or if the matter involves a family trust or deceased estate, use a solicitor. Sarah Walsh handles both conveyancing and leasing from one firm.
How much does a solicitor cost?
Sarah Walsh charges a fixed fee, so you know the cost upfront before the work starts. The fee covers contract review or preparation, negotiation, settlement, disbursements and post-settlement reporting. Additional costs such as searches, registration fees and bank fees are quoted separately. Contact the firm for a fixed-fee quote tailored to your transaction.
How much does a conveyancer usually cost?
Conveyancing fees across Sydney vary based on property value, transaction complexity, and whether you’re buying or selling. Fixed fees are standard. Expect separate charges for searches, registration and bank fees. Sarah Walsh provides a fixed-fee quote upfront, with no hidden costs.
Can an executor sell property without all beneficiaries approving in Australia?
Yes, if the will gives the executor power to sell estate property. The executor must act in the beneficiaries’ best interests and follow the will’s terms, but does not need each beneficiary’s consent to sell. Beneficiaries can challenge the sale in court if they believe the executor is acting improperly or in breach of duty. If you are an executor dealing with estate property, get legal advice before listing it for sale.
What This Means for Property Solicitor Near Me
A property solicitor reviews contracts and leases, negotiates better terms, handles settlement, and makes sure title transfers cleanly. Sarah Walsh acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Sydney and NSW, with fixed fees and over a decade of specialised property law experience. Book an initial chat online, call 0493 291 572, or visit one of the firm’s Sydney offices.
Have a lease or contract to sign?
Sarah Walsh reviews, drafts and negotiates commercial and retail leases for tenants and landlords, and handles conveyancing for buyers and sellers across Sydney, on a fixed fee. Get it checked before you sign.
For more, see our guide on fixed price conveyancing nsw.