Property law insights & answers

A property law advisor oversees the legal transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. This includes conducting exhaustive title searches to ensure there are no hidden encumbrances, reviewing or drafting the agreement for sale and purchase, ensuring compliance with local stamp duty ordinances, and managing the secure transfer of funds during completion.

A title search reveals the historical legal ownership of the property and highlights any potential issues such as outstanding mortgages, unauthorized building works, government orders, or ongoing ownership disputes. Identifying these issues early prevents you from inheriting costly legal liabilities or structural rectification costs.

We act on behalf of either landlords or tenants to resolve conflicts over rental arrears, maintenance responsibilities, lease renewals, or unauthorized subletting. Our focus is always on achieving a fair, legally sound resolution through structured mediation, saving our clients time and the high costs of prolonged court proceedings.

Stamp duty rates vary significantly based on whether you are a first-time buyer, a permanent resident, or a corporate entity. There are also specific rules regarding Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) and Special Stamp Duty (SSD) for properties resold within a certain timeframe. We provide detailed calculations and strategic structuring to ensure full compliance with the Inland Revenue Department.

In a joint tenancy, co-owners hold equal shares, and the right of survivorship applies—meaning if one owner passes away, their share automatically transfers to the surviving owner. In a tenancy in common, owners can hold unequal shares, and their respective shares can be willed to beneficiaries of their choice rather than automatically passing to the other co-owner.