The emotional investment of securing a new property in New South Wales is undeniable, especially in a market where the median house price continues its upward trajectory. It was outlined in our latest Property Market Update, that from July to September 2025, the median house purchase price rose 5.04%. With this consistent upwards pressure on pricing, ensuring comprehensive due diligence is no longer just good practice, it’s paramount to safeguarding that investment as legal professionals.

Paving the way for smarter due diligence

When acting for a purchaser in NSW, due diligence doesn’t just stop at the title search. Beyond verifying ownership, savvy conveyancers know that the true landscape of a property can only be fully understood by gathering a robust number of Outstanding Notices Certificates. Given that NSW councils’ issue over 10 distinct types of certificates which cover rates, planning, water, and more, having a centralised platform to manage your matters is crucial.

In just a few clicks, you can save your client from inheriting costly liabilities related to building defects, environmental hazards, or public health and safety concerns.

Local councils issue these certificates under different legislation, providing a definitive snapshot of a property’s compliance status:

s121ZP Certificate (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979) – reveals development, building, and planning compliance notices.
s735A Certificate (Local Government Act 1993) – discloses notices and orders relating to public health, safety, environment, and general land issues.

Combined Certificate – some councils offer a single search covering both s121ZP and s735A notices for efficiency.

The conclusive proof your clients deserve

The power of these certificates lies in their legal weight. They act as conclusive proof of the existence or absence of any outstanding notices against the property from the date of issue. This means that if a property has a valid, clear certificate at settlement, the purchaser is legally protected from any pre-existing council orders that weren’t disclosed.

Conversely, the absence or misinterpretation of these certificates can be devastating, exposing purchasers to significant financial risk. Imagine a first-time buyer in early 2025 who settles on a property without a comprehensive Outstanding Notices Certificate bundle. Just three weeks after settlement, the new owner receives a “Notice of Intention to Issue an Order” from the local council, requiring the demolition of an unapproved deck and rectification of illegal stormwater works that were undertaken by the previous owner. Since a clear certificate was not obtained, the new owner will inherit the full liability and must comply with council’s demands. What is meant to be their dream home quickly becomes a financial nightmare.

Prioritise comprehensive protection with smarter technology

This scenario underscores a very real and persistent risk in conveyancing. In a high-stakes market, how can you ensure your due diligence is truly comprehensive and avoid such devastating outcomes for your clients?

We know our clients care about delivering excellent due diligence, which is why we’ve implemented several features built to work the way you think. Incorporating our smart bundle feature, receiving recommended certificates based on previous matters or, having the ability to order certificates at various stages of a purchasing matter, are just some features built in our platform to work the way you think.

It’s time to start using smarter technology in your due diligence that can save you and your clients.

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