First Home Benefits Update | July 2014
Commencing 1 July 2014, the threshold for the first-home buyers grant increases from $650,000 to $750,000. The $15,000 First Home Owners Grant is only available for the purchase of new homes.
Stamp duty relief is also available to first home buyers of new homes. The First Home – New Home scheme provides eligible first home buyers with exemptions from duty on new homes valued up to $550,000 and concessions for new homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000.
Not a first home owner? The New South Wales New Home Grant scheme provides a grant of $5,000 towards the purchase of new homes, homes off the plan and vacant land on which a new home will be built.
Contact us on 02 9707 3888 to find out your entitlements
New Swimming Pool Register | October 2013
All owners of backyard pools in NSW must register their swimming pool with the NSW Government in order to comply with recent amendments to the Swimming Pools Act 1992.
Following extensive consultation with councils, water safety advocates, pool owners, state agencies, and industry organisations, the NSW Government passed the Swimming Pools Amendment Act 2012 late last year. The Act is aimed at improving compliance with pool barrier requirements, and by so doing increasing the safety of backyard pools and reducing the number of child drownings.
The NSW Government has set up an online swimming pool register, and all pool owners must enter their swimming pool on this register. When registering, pool owners are required to indicate that to the best of their knowledge their swimming pool complies with the applicable safety standards.
Swimming pool owners must register their pool by 29 October 2013. If they don’t register by this date, they risk being fined up to $2200.
The amendments also set out new requirements in relation to the sale and lease of properties with a swimming pool.
From 29 April 2014, where a property with a swimming pool is being sold, a valid certificate of compliance (or an occupation certificate issued within the last three years) must be annexed to the Contract for Sale. Failure to annex the certificate means that the purchaser may rescind the Contract at any time within 14 days of exchange.
In the case of a property for lease with a swimming pool, from 29 April 2014 there must be a valid certificate of compliance in place (or an occupation certificate issued within the last three years) at the time the Residential Tenancy Agreement is entered into and a copy of that certificate must be given to the tenant.
Swimming pools can be registered at the NSW Government’s Swimming Pool Register website.
2013 Bankstown Local Business Awards| July 2013
We are pleased to announce that we have been nominated as a Finalist in the 2013 Bankstown Local Business Awards.
A huge thank you to all those that voted for us and your continued support.
Win or lose we strive to provide you with quality legal services.
Winners will be announced at the gala presentation evening on 7 August 2013.
Fingers crossed!
NSW State Budget 2013 | June 2013
The NSW Government announced this month that the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme of $15,000 for new homes will be extended to 31 December 2015.
The grant will reduce to $10,000 from 1 January 2016 for eligible transactions.
MS Colour Run 2013 | January 2013
The team at Chidiac Legal was proud to participate in the MS Colour Run on Saturday 26 January 2013.
The MS Colour Run was organised by MS Australia to fund services and provide support for the 23,000 Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Not only was it a great cause but a really enjoyable and messy experience.
Thank you to all those who donated and especially those who turned out on the day to participate in the walk.
Even though the walk may be over the effort to find a cure for MS is still alive. Head over to the MS Australia website to donate to a worthy cause.
Land Tax Threshold increased to $406,000 in 2013 | January 2013
Land tax is levied on the owners of land in NSW as at midnight on 31 December of each year. In general, your principal place of residence or land used for primary production (a farm) is exempt from land tax.
The land tax threshold for the 2013 land tax year has been set at $406,000.00.
For more information visit the NSW Office of State Revenue Website by clicking here.
First Home Benefits Summary| December 2012
Are you a First Home Owner and confused about your entitlements as to First Home Benefits?
Eligible first home owners are entitled to a $15,000 grant for the purchase or construction of a new home.
In addition, the First Home Plus Scheme provides eligible purchasers with stamp duty exemptions on new homes valued up to $550,000 and stamp duty concessions on new homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000.
Click here to obtain your First Home Benefits Summary to help guide you through your entitlements.
For more information contact our office on (02) 8068 8428.