In a highly regulated country like Australia, there is no choice but to try and navigate the exacting demands of local, state and Federal governments. (and often that means having the right paperwork). For example, you’ll need the right paperwork to apply for an Australian passport, to get a home loan, a driver’s license, and to prove you’re the legal owner of a property.
All the legal paperwork around conveyancing falls under State jurisdiction. The official document you’ll need to prove you’re the legal owner of a property is called the ‘Certificate of Title’ (aka ‘Title Deeds’ or ‘Paper Titles’). The document will include the current owner’s name, a description of the land, any registered interests or encumbrances (like mortgages or easements), and the volume and folio number. It may also include caveats lodged against the title, which can be a warning about potential claims on the property.
For instance, there could be maintenance requirements around the height of shrubbery on your property that may need to be followed to protect neighbour’s water views (you’d be amazed at what can be written into a caveat that forms part of a binding legal document). There may also be a Survey Plan, which is a title sketch of the property and its boundaries.
Of course, it’s all very well to have a ‘Certificate of Title’. (but what happens if you lose it?) That’s where C & R Settlements can help.
We’d love to have a dollar for every client who couldn’t find their ‘Certificate of Title’ documentation. (we get it, it’s not exactly something you’ll use every day). Lost property titles are one of the most common causes of long, drawn-out settlement delays.
When this occurs, your Settlement Agent needs to prepare an application together with a Statutory Declaration to create (and register) a new Title with Landgate. (Landgate, btw, is Western Australia’s land information authority). It is a thorough and detailed process that can become a headache if you’re not an experienced Conveyancer.
By appointing C & R Mandurah as your Settlement Agent, we can take the stress away issue by organising a replacement Title for you. This means you don’t have to deal with Landgate by yourself. Instead, you can leave it in our capable hands, which will save you time and money.
Remember, when you choose C & R Settlements, you can use our free courtesy truck when it’s time to make the move. All you’ll need is a standard driver’s licence (and perhaps a few strong mates to lend a hand on moving day). Just be aware that our free courtesy truck is very popular, and bookings are essential. Just another reason to choose C & R Settlements in Mandurah.