Buying a Residential Property with Existing Tenants

The Australian real estate market offers an array of opportunities for investment. A common type of real estate investment is residential property with existing tenants. This can be an appealing option for various reasons, including the benefit of receiving rental...

The financial risk in giving personal guarantees in leases

If you are a director of a company entering a commercial or retail lease, a landlord will likely require you to give a personal guarantee for the company’s obligations under the lease. In such cases, directors should fully understand the extent of the guarantee they...

What Happens to a Family Business after a Couple Separates?

Divorce is almost always a difficult and disruptive life event. For couples who own a family business, the stakes are particularly high, as the fate of the business often becomes a central point of contention during divorce proceedings. In Australia, a family business...

Can I Change the Locks After We Separate?

Separation is often a challenging and emotionally charged time in a person’s life, usually accompanied by significant decisions regarding living arrangements. One common question that arises during this period is whether it is legally permissible to change the...

Beware: Informal Negotiations Can Create Binding Agreements

A lease is a legally binding contract that gives you certain rights to a property for a set term. A written commercial lease is used when leasing property used primarily for a business. You should never sign a lease without understanding all of its terms and...