NSW buyer-side residential conveyancing checklist
NSW buyer-side conveyancing sits under the Conveyancing Act 1919 and the Real Property Act 1900. This checklist is for solicitors and licensed conveyancers acting for purchasers on standard residential matters in NSW.
This is a 12-step NSW buyer-side conveyancing checklist. It walks through pre-exchange review, cooling-off, searches, finance, settlement, and post-settlement steps for a standard residential purchase in NSW.
The checklist
Review the Contract for Sale of Land
Check the draft contract, vendor disclosures, attached documents, and any special conditions before exchange.
Confirm prescribed documents are attached
Verify the title, deposited plan, s 149 planning certificate, sewer diagram, and any strata documents are attached to the contract.
Advise on the cooling-off period
Brief the buyer on the 5 business day cooling-off period and the 0.25% forfeiture if the buyer rescinds.
Order a building and pest inspection
Arrange independent building and pest reports before the cooling-off period expires or exchange on an unconditional basis.
Verify finance approval
Confirm the purchaser has unconditional finance approval before cooling-off ends or exchange is formalised.
Run full pre-exchange searches
Order title, council, water, land tax clearance, and survey certificate searches. Review results against contract disclosures.
Calculate transfer duty and lodge
Calculate NSW transfer duty using the Revenue NSW calculator and prepare the duty declaration through EDR or an assessor.
Check first home buyer concessions
Assess eligibility for first home buyer assistance (FHBAS) or first home owner grant before settlement.
Prepare the Transfer and PEXA workspace
Draft the Transfer (T form), invite parties into the PEXA workspace, and confirm settlement time.
Calculate adjustments
Calculate final adjustments for council rates, water, land tax, and strata levies as at settlement date.
Attend PEXA settlement
Confirm the workspace is financially balanced, sign documents digitally, and coordinate with both banks for settlement.
Post-settlement handover
Confirm title transfer registered, provide the buyer with settlement statement, and advise on insurance and utilities.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist on every NSW residential buyer matter from file opening through post-settlement.
Common pitfalls
- Missing a section 149 certificate warning before cooling-off expires
- Forgetting to check land tax clearance and leaving the buyer exposed
- Not confirming finance unconditionally before cooling-off ends
- Overlooking first home buyer concession eligibility
- Failing to verify PEXA workspace balance before settlement
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio can review a NSW contract for sale, flag disclosure issues, and run this checklist against the actual matter file. See /practice-areas/property-lawyers or start a free trial.
General guidance for standard NSW residential buyer matters. Adapt for off-the-plan, commercial, or non-standard transactions.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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