Section 32 checklist

What every Section 32 covers

1. FinancialVerifyRates, outgoings and charges against the land

   Look for

   • The council rates, water and other outgoings stated for the property
   • Any mortgage or charge registered over the land

   Ask your conveyancer: Will every mortgage or charge over the land be cleared at settlement?

2. Easements & covenantsRed flagRestrictions on how you use or build

   Look for

   • Where each easement runs, on the title plan
   • The exact wording of any covenant

   Red flags

   • A restrictive covenant that limits building, extensions or the number of dwellings
   • An easement where you plan to build, extend or put a pool

   Ask your conveyancer: Can I build over or near this easement, and what does the covenant stop me doing?

3. Owners corporationRed flagFees, special levies, insurance, disputes

   Look for

   • Current fees and what they cover
   • The owners corporation's insurance

   Red flags

   • A special levy that has been resolved or proposed
   • Disputes or proceedings involving the owners corporation

   Ask your conveyancer: Who pays a levy resolved before settlement, and what major works are planned?

4. Building permitsRed flagWorks in the last 7 years and their approvals

   Look for

   • Each permit listed against the works you can see on inspection

   Red flags

   • Extensions, decks, pools or conversions with no permit listed (unregistered works)

   Ask your conveyancer: Were all works on the property permitted and finalised?

5. Notices & ordersVerifyAnything an authority has served on the land

   Look for

   • Every notice, order or proposal listed, and what it requires

   Red flags

   • An order that requires work, or a proposal that affects the land

   Ask your conveyancer: What does this notice require, who must comply, and by when?

6. Planning & zoningVerifyThe zone and what it allows

   Look for

   • The zone named in the statement
   • Whether it allows what you plan to do with the property

   Ask your conveyancer: Does the zone allow what I plan to do here?

   What each zone means →

7. Title & planRed flagThat the mandatory documents are actually attached

   Look for

   • A copy of the title and the plan, attached
   • The registered proprietor's name against the vendor's

   Red flags

   • A document the statement refers to that is not attached

   Ask your conveyancer: Is every document the statement needs attached and current?

8. Overlays (the omission check)Red flagHeritage, flood, bushfire vs the public record

   Look for

   • Every overlay the statement lists
   • The overlays on the public record for the address

   Red flags

   • An overlay on the public record that the statement does not mention

   Ask your conveyancer: The public record shows an overlay the statement leaves out. What does that mean for this contract?

   If required information appears missing or inconsistent with current official records, don't assume the legal consequence yourself: preserve the documents and get advice from a licensed conveyancer or solicitor before signing or before any applicable deadline expires.

   Check the address's overlays →

9. Special conditions (contract)Red flagNon-standard terms in the contract of sale

   Look for

   • Every special condition added to the standard contract

   Red flags

   • Non-standard special conditions that shift risk or cost to you

   Ask your conveyancer: What does each special condition change for me?

General education, not a legal review: it does not review your specific contract and is not legal advice. Whether a buyer may withdraw or is otherwise protected depends on the specific facts. Always have the Section 32 and contract of sale reviewed by a licensed conveyancer or solicitor before you sign.