Property Law Conference 2021 (42892832 EBIRD)

9:00AM Welcome from the chair  

Larry Iffla, Partner, Iffla Wade     

9:05AM  Current commercial leasing concerns: Legal issues around the COVID-19 pandemic  

• Understanding the New Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2020 (WA) (20 April 2020) 

• What do the stimulus measures mean for your business?  

• What landlords and tenants should know? 

• COVID-19 WA Commercial Tenancies Code of Conduct  

• Key principles from the Code and their application 

• Affected leases’/ ‘eligible lease’ for rental moratorium? 

• When can leases be terminated?  

• Renegotiate the rent in good faith of the impact of COVID-19 

• Rent relief legislation including entitlement and disputes 

• Insolvency reforms to support small business 

9:45AM WA Strata Title Act reform – implications of the key changes  

The Strata Titles Amendment Act 2018 (WA) commenced on 1 May 2020 introducing the most significant updates to Western Australia's strata framework in over 20 years.  

• Better information for strata buyers 

• More efficient dispute resolution 

• Improvements to strata management 

Ann Spencer, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers  

10:25AM Networking & refreshment break

10:45AM Consequential changes to the Planning and Development Act 2005 

• Assessment Pathway for ‘Significant Developments’ in Part 17 of the Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA) 

• COVID-19 Update – WA Government seeks to have WAPC determine Planning Applications for Significant Projects and to automatically extend some subdivision approvals 

11:25AM Problems with easements – dealing with contentious issues  

• What is a covenant? What is an easement? 

• How do covenants and easements impact the Certificate of Title? 

• Easement disputes can be complex and drawn-out, depending on the issues at stake

• How to settle property easement disputes quickly and effectively 

• Landgate  

12:05PM Panel discussion: Housing affordability unlocking the future liveability in Western Australia  

12:45PM Lunch

How to navigate property transactions effectively in today’s tumultuous market around Australia  

• Special conditions 

• Off-the-plan contracts: what to look out for 

• Tax: a quick primer on GST and obligations to the ATO 

• Default and termination  

• Warranties: Rights and obligations  

• Tips to reduce problems 

Jolene Ashworth, Principal Solicitor, Philipoff Legal                 

3:00PM Networking and refreshment break

3:20PM Property taxes update 

• Duty valuations and assessments: updates, guidance and managing the process with the WA Office of State Revenue 

• The latest in transfer duty and tips for addressing these issues 

• Overview of capital vs revenue distinction & ATO compliance practices 

Tim Poli, Partner, Kings Park Legal