Property Law & Conveyancing
Property Lawyers and Conveyancing in Geelong
Since 1877, Whyte, Just & Moore’s team of property and conveyancing lawyers has been handling residential, commercial, and rural transactions across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast and surrounding regions.
We provide support for everything from straightforward home purchases to more complex developments. Even if you just need someone to review a commercial lease before you sign, our team is here to help.
Property development
We work with developers at every stage: land acquisition, due diligence, contract preparation, and the ongoing legal documentation needed to keep a project on track.
Delays in legal paperwork are a common reason development timelines blow out. We turn documents around quickly and flag issues early, so your project keeps moving.
Subdivisions and owner's corporations
Subdividing land in Victoria involves council approvals, title restrictions, compliance with the Planning and Environment Act, and, in many cases, the creation of an owner's corporation. We’ve handled subdivisions across Geelong and the region, from straightforward two-lot splits to multi-stage residential developments.
Commercial, retail, and rural leasing
A poorly drafted lease can cause significant problems down the track for landlords and tenants alike. We draft and review leases across commercial, retail, and rural properties, ensuring compliance with the Retail Leases Act 2003 where applicable and protecting your position from the outset. We also advise on lease renewals, rent review clauses, and exit arrangements.
Retirement village and aged care agreements
Moving into a retirement village or aged care facility involves complex contractual arrangements that are easy to misunderstand. We review residence contracts, disclosure statements, and fee structures before you sign. We’ll help you understand exactly what you're committing to and what your rights are if circumstances change.
Specialised property matters
Some property issues require more than standard conveyancing expertise. We assist with:
• Adverse possession claims
• Creation or removal of easements and restrictive covenants
• Caveats
• General Law title conversions and title investigations
• Challenging regulatory property decisions
Do I Need a Property Lawyer or a Conveyancer?
In Victoria, both licensed conveyancers and property lawyers can handle a standard residential property transfer. But there are a few differences between the two.
A licensed conveyancer is limited to conveyancing work.
A property lawyer can generally do everything a conveyancer does, plus they can advise on contract disputes, title defects, development structures, leasing, planning issues, and anything else that arises. If a transaction becomes complicated mid-way through, you won’t need to find a separate lawyer.
At Whyte, Just & Moore, you get both: experienced conveyancing staff who handle the day-to-day process efficiently, backed by a full-service property law team if anything requires escalation.
Buying property
Before you sign anything, we review the contract of sale and Section 32 vendor statement in detail. Once you're ready to proceed, we manage every
legal step of the purchase: liaising with your lender, conducting property searches, preparing transfer documents, and attending to settlement.
Selling property
We prepare your contract of sale and Section 32 promptly, so your property can go to market without delay. From there, we coordinate with all parties and manage the transaction through to a clean, on-time settlement.
Transfer of property ownership
Not all property transfers involve a sale. We assist with transfers between family members, spousal and relationship breakdown transfers, deceased estate transfers, and other related-party transactions (including non-dutiable transfers where applicable).
e-Conveyancing via PEXA
All our settlements are conducted electronically via PEXA. This means faster, more accurate settlements and real-time coordination with banks, agents, and other parties, with no risk of cheques being lost or bank delays on settlement day.
Why Geelong Families Choose
Whyte, Just & Moore
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Serving Geelong since 1877
Nearly 150 years of working with Geelong businesses means we understand the local commercial landscape and the long-term relationships that help this community thrive.
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Lawyers and conveyancers under one roof
If your transaction gets complicated, you don't start again with a new firm. We’ll handle it.
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Experience across all property types
Residential homes, rural land, commercial buildings, development sites, retirement villages. Our team handles the full range.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a property lawyer?
A licensed conveyancer can legally handle standard property transfers, including buying, selling, and title transfers. A property lawyer can do that, plus advise on disputes, complex contracts, development structures, leasing, and any legal issues that arise during or after a transaction. If there's any complexity involved, a property lawyer gives you more coverage.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a house in Geelong?
You're not legally required to use a lawyer, but you are required to have either a lawyer or a licensed conveyancer manage your conveyancing in Victoria. Given the sums involved in most property purchases, professional legal representation is strongly recommended.
How much does conveyancing cost in Geelong?
Conveyancing costs vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and the property type. A straightforward residential purchase or sale will generally cost less than a commercial transaction or one involving title complications. Contact us for a fee estimate based on your specific circumstances.
What is a Section 32 vendor statement?
A Section 32 (or a vendor statement) is a legal document that the seller of a property in Victoria must provide to any prospective buyer before a contract is signed. It discloses key information about the property: title details, any mortgages or encumbrances, zoning, outgoings, and any notices or orders affecting the property. Reviewing the Section 32 carefully before you sign is one of the most important steps in buying property.
Can you help with a commercial lease in Geelong?
Yes. We draft and review commercial, retail, and rural leases for both landlords and tenants. For retail leases, we ensure compliance with the Retail Leases Act 2003. We also advise on lease renewals, rent reviews, assignments, and disputes, including representation at VCAT if required.
What happens if my settlement is delayed?
Settlement delays happen for various reasons: finance falling through, title issues, one party not being ready. If your settlement is at risk of delay, we act quickly to assess your options. It might require negotiating an extension, issuing a notice to proceed, or advising on your rights under the contract. Having a property lawyer manage your transaction means you're not navigating this alone.
How long does conveyancing take in Victoria?
The conveyancing process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, depending on the settlement date agreed in the contract. Once a contract is signed, much of that time is the period between exchange and settlement, during which searches are conducted, lender requirements are managed, and transfer documents are prepared. Settlement itself (handled electronically via PEXA) takes minutes.
Get in touch with Whyte, Just & Moore
Whyte, Just & Moore have been handling Geelong property transactions since 1877. Talk to our property team about your next purchase, sale, or development.