One of the most common questions we hear from our conveyancing clients is “Do I REALLY need a conveyancer to buy a house?”
While it might be tempting to save money and take this task on yourself, DIY conveyancing can cost you thousands of dollars and even your deposit in worst-case scenarios.
Without the right legal expertise, one missed detail or contract mistake could leave you financially exposed, facing unexpected fees, legal disputes, or even losing the property altogether.
Keep reading to see real-life examples of DIY conveyancing gone wrong and questions you must ask yourself before trying to handle the process independently.
Key Takeaways:
- DIY conveyancing can be costly – One mistake could lead to legal disputes, financial losses, or losing your deposit.
- Real buyers have faced serious issues – Unpaid debts, missed deadlines, and illegal extensions have cost buyers thousands.
- Ask yourself the right questions – If you’re unsure about legal terms, deadlines, or zoning laws, DIY conveyancing isn’t worth the risk.
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Do You Legally Need a Conveyancer?
Legally, you don’t have to hire a conveyancer in Australia, but skipping one could be an expensive mistake.
While it’s possible to buy a house without a conveyancer, doing so requires a deep understanding of property law, contract terms, and financial obligations.
Even a small mistake could lead to costly disputes, delays, or unexpected financial liabilities.
One thing to note if you choose to use a conveyancer, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) require them to be a solicitor.
In other states, conveyancers can operate independently without needing to be solicitors.
Risks of DIY Conveyancing
We’ve been helping new homeowners navigate the property purchase process for over 40 years. Here are some of the biggest risks you take when you don’t use a conveyancer:
- Misinterpreting legal terms – You might unknowingly agree to unfavourable contract conditions, such as a short settlement period or penalties for minor delays, leaving you financially exposed.
- Not Meeting Property Law Act or industry requirements – Sellers must provide buyers with a disclosure statement and relevant certificates before the sale contract is signed. Adherence to the Electronic settlement clause of the REIQ contract.
- Missing important deadlines – Delays in meeting settlement requirements can lead to penalty interest charges, a breach of contract, or even losing your deposit if the seller terminates the agreement.
- Overlooking hidden costs – Unpaid council rates, zoning restrictions, or unaccounted-for stamp duty can result in unexpected expenses that could stretch your budget or delay settlement.
- Failing to conduct proper searches – Without thorough due diligence, you might discover easements, encumbrances, or outstanding debts on the property after purchase, leading to costly legal issues or restrictions on how you use the land.
- Struggling to coordinate settlement – Miscommunication between banks, real estate agents, and government authorities can result in funding delays, extra fees, or a failed settlement, potentially forcing you to renegotiate terms or forfeit your deposit.
Making a mistake during the property purchase process could cost you thousands of dollars or, even worse, lead to legal disputes or losing your deposit. Buying or selling is often one of the biggest financial transactions you will complete in your lifetime so knowing that our team is here to ensure you avoid costly delays, protect your assets and save time makes transferring your property as smoothly and stress-free as possible.
Buying a home should be one of the most exciting moments of your life. Unfortunately, we’ve seen too many buyers lose money, face legal disputes, or inherit someone else’s debts—all because they didn’t have the right support. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our conveyancing team identify details others miss and allows you peace of mind. Ensure your biggest investment is legally sound.
Examples of DIY Conveyancing Gone Wrong
To help give some context to the risks we discussed above, here are real examples of buyers who tried to handle conveyancing themselves—and ended up facing costly consequences.
We’ve seen buyers face unexpected penalties, legal disputes, and even forced demolitions simply because they didn’t have the right legal checks in place.
The Unpaid Debts That Became Someone Else’s Problem
Michael and Lisa had spent months searching for the perfect investment property. When they finally found an apartment in a prime location, they were eager to close the deal quickly. Since they had purchased property before, they figured they could skip appointing a conveyancer and handle the paperwork themselves.
Everything seemed fine—until weeks after settlement, when they received a demand from the body corporate. The previous owner had left behind over $5,000 in unpaid strata fees—and since the debt was attached to the property, Michael and Lisa were now responsible for paying it. Their only option was to cover the debt themselves or face legal action.
How we could have helped: We conduct property searches to uncover outstanding rates, taxes, and levies before settlement, ensuring you don’t inherit unexpected financial burdens and reconcile these costs on settlement.
The Settlement Delay That Cost a Buyer Their Deposit
James had finally secured a contract on his first home. Excited but wanting to keep costs down, he decided to manage the conveyancing process himself. He was confident everything was on track—until he hit an unexpected roadblock.
His bank took longer than expected to finalise his loan, pushing back the settlement date. By the time James realised he needed to request an extension, it was too late. The seller terminated the contract, and James lost his $50,000 deposit. Worse still, the property market had risen in the meantime, meaning he now had to spend even more to buy a similar home.
How we could have helped: We track settlement deadlines, liaise with lenders, and ensure everything is in place on time, settlements occur on a secure online platform PEXA — so you don’t risk losing your property or your money.
The Home Renovation Nightmare
Emma and Jack were thrilled to find a spacious home with a newly built extension—a beautiful open-plan kitchen and extra living space that made the property perfect for their growing family. Eager to move in, they decided to skip hiring a conveyancer and take care of the paperwork themselves.
It wasn’t until months after settlement that they discovered the extension had been built without council approval. When they applied for a permit to make further renovations, the council flagged the issue and ordered them to either bring the structure up to code or tear it down.
The cost of retrospectively meeting compliance was tens of thousands of dollars—far more than what they had saved by not using a conveyancer. Worse still, if they had tried to sell the home, the illegal extension could have devalued the property or scared off buyers.
How we could have helped: We conduct zoning and council searches to check for unapproved renovations, ensuring buyers don’t inherit costly compliance issues.
These are just a few examples of how DIY conveyancing can go wrong. These risks aren’t just hypothetical—they happen to real buyers every day, and they could happen to you
If you’re buying a home, let us handle the legal side so you don’t end up in a situation like this.
Book your free initial consultation today to see if we’re the right fit for your needs!
Thinking About Handling Conveyancing Yourself? Ask Yourself These Questions First
Conveyancing isn’t just paperwork—it’s a legally binding process with serious financial consequences if mistakes are made. Before you decide to go it alone, take a moment to ask yourself these critical questions:
- Do I fully understand the legal terms in a contract of sale?
- One wrong interpretation could lock you into unexpected obligations, penalties, or financial risks.
- Am I confident I can identify hidden risks in the contract?
- Special conditions, zoning restrictions, and undisclosed fees aren’t always obvious to an untrained eye.
- Do I know how to check for outstanding property debts?
- If the seller has unpaid council rates, land tax, or strata fees, you could be forced to pay them after settlement.
- Have I researched zoning laws and building approvals?
- An unapproved extension or a property built on flood-prone land could mean costly compliance issues—or even demolition orders.
- Am I prepared to manage tight deadlines and legal paperwork?
- A missed settlement deadline could mean penalty interest, a breach of contract, or even losing your deposit.
- Do I know how to coordinate with banks, real estate agents, and government bodies?
- Settlement delays caused by miscommunication could result in extra fees or a failed transaction.
- Am I willing to take full responsibility if something goes wrong?
- Unlike a professional conveyancer, you won’t have insurance or legal protection if you make a costly mistake.
If you hesitated on any of these questions, we recommend that you get in touch today so we can handle the hard work for you, protect your investment and avoid costly mistakes.
Why you Should Trust Arcuri Turnbull Law to Handle your Conveyancing Needs
You’re not legally required to use a conveyancer, but buying a property without one can be risky and overwhelming. Here’s how we make the process smoother, safer, and stress-free.
We Know Property Law Inside Out
Property contracts are filled with legal jargon and fine print that can easily be missed. Our team ensures everything is legally sound, protecting you from hidden clauses, unfair terms, or costly mistakes. We assist by reviewing your contract before you sign.
We Protect You From Expensive Risks
One overlooked contract detail, a missed deadline, or an outstanding debt attached to the property could cost you thousands. We check every detail, so you’re not left dealing with unexpected surprises after settlement.
We Take the Stress Off Your Shoulders
Buying a home is exciting—but the legal side? Not so much. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with banks and agents, and keep you updated, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
We Make the Process Faster and Smoother
From reviewing contracts to final settlement, we work efficiently to keep everything on track, avoiding unnecessary delays or last-minute complications.
Your property purchase should be a milestone, not a headache. Let us handle the hard part so you can focus on moving forward with confidence.
Book your Free Consultation Today
When it comes to property, you don’t get second chances. Let us protect your investment and make your sale or purchase smooth, secure, and stress-free.
If you’d like to learn more about how our conveyancing solicitors and property law experts can help you with your property purchase, book a complimentary 30-minute consultation today to get expert advice, uncover potential risks, and ensure a smooth settlement.
