Conveyancing in Maitland & The Hunter Valley

Buying or selling property is one of the largest financial decisions most people make, and the legal process behind it matters. Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership from one party to another, and getting it right protects your money, your rights, and your peace of mind. Hills Solicitors has handled property transactions for the people of Maitland and the Hunter Valley since 1894, guiding buyers and sellers through every stage from contract to settlement.

Whether you’re a first home buyer, upgrading, downsizing, investing, or selling, our team manages the legal detail so your transaction runs smoothly.

Book a consultation or call (02) 4933 5111 to talk to our conveyancing team.

What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring the title of a property from a seller to a buyer. In NSW, it’s governed principally by the Conveyancing Act 1919 and the Real Property Act 1900, which together set out how property is bought, sold, and registered under the Torrens title system.

The process runs from the review and exchange of the contract for sale through to settlement, when ownership formally passes and the transfer is registered with NSW Land Registry Services. While it can sound straightforward, each stage carries legal and financial risks that a solicitor manages on your behalf, from checking the contract and conducting searches to calculating adjustments and coordinating settlement.

How the Conveyancing Process Works in NSW

Every transaction is a little different, but most follow the same core stages.

  • Contract review: Before you sign, your solicitor reviews the contract for sale and its attached documents, which the vendor must provide under the Conveyancing Act 1919. This is where issues like easements, covenants, and zoning are identified.
  • Exchange and cooling-off: When contracts are exchanged, the agreement becomes binding. Buyers generally have a five business day cooling-off period under Section 66 of the Act, unless it’s waived (commonly at auction).
  • Searches: Your solicitor conducts title, council, water, and planning searches to uncover anything that could affect the property or its value.
  • Finance: Where a mortgage is involved, your solicitor coordinates with your lender to align the loan with the contract and meet finance deadlines.
  • Settlement: On settlement day, the balance of the price is paid, ownership transfers, and the transfer is registered. In NSW, settlement is now handled electronically through the PEXA platform. The standard settlement period is six weeks, though this can be negotiated.

For a detailed look at each side of the transaction, see our buying property and selling property pages.

Explore Our Conveyancing Services

We provide legal support across every kind of property transaction. Choose the service that fits your situation:

Selling Property

Our team provides thorough legal assistance in property sales, ensuring a smooth transaction and protecting your interests throughout the process.

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Buying Property

Our team provides thorough legal assistance in property purchases, ensuring a smooth process and protecting your investment at every stage.

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Retirement Village Leases

We offer expert legal advice on retirement village leases, ensuring your rights are protected and the terms are transparent and fair.

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First Home Buyers

Our legal team provides dedicated support for first home buyers, ensuring a smooth and informed property buying experience.

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Off The Plan Purchase

We offer specialised legal services for off the plan purchases, ensuring your investment is secure and the process is hassle-free.

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Guarantor Documents

Our expert team provides comprehensive guidance and support in understanding and managing guarantor obligations, ensuring your interests are protected and you make informed decisions every step of the way.

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Why Use a Solicitor for Your Conveyancing?

In NSW, both solicitors and licensed conveyancers can handle property transactions. The difference is that a conveyancer is limited to the conveyancing process itself, while a solicitor can also provide broader legal advice if your transaction becomes complicated.

That difference matters more often than people expect. If a title problem emerges, a boundary dispute arises, the property forms part of a deceased estate or family law settlement, or a contract needs to be renegotiated, a solicitor can handle it without you needing to engage a separate lawyer. For a transaction as significant as buying or selling property, having a solicitor means you already have full legal representation in place if something goes wrong. Our guide to choosing a solicitor vs a conveyancer in NSW explains this in more detail.

As a long-established Maitland firm, we also bring genuine local knowledge of the Hunter Valley property market, local councils, and the issues that arise in the areas we serve. We act for buyers and sellers in Maitland, East Maitland, Rutherford, Thornton, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, and the broader Newcastle region.

Helpful Resources

These NSW and Australian Government resources are useful when planning a purchase:

First Home Buyer Guarantee Scheme

Information on the federal Governments deposit guarantee scheme.

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Stamp Duty Offers

See the latest offers from the NSW State Government for First Home Buyers regarding Stamp Duty.

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Stamp Duty Calculator

Use this calculator provided by the NSW Government to determine the amount of Stamp Duty you could be liable for in a purchase.

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Frequently asked questions about conveyancing

How much does conveyancing cost in NSW?

Conveyancing fees depend on the complexity of the transaction, plus disbursements for searches, registration, and PEXA fees. Rather than a one-size-fits-all figure, we look at your specific transaction and provide a clear cost estimate upfront, so you know what to expect before committing.

How long does conveyancing take?

The standard settlement period in NSW is six weeks (42 days) from exchange of contracts, although shorter or longer periods can be negotiated. The overall timeline depends on factors including finance approval, the results of searches, and whether any issues arise during the process. Your solicitor manages these timeframes to keep everything on track.

Should I use a solicitor or a conveyancer?

Both can handle standard conveyancing in NSW. A solicitor, however, can also provide broader legal advice if complications arise, such as title disputes, boundary issues, or contract problems, without you needing to engage a separate lawyer. For most people, the added protection of having a solicitor handle the transaction is well worth it. Our guide to choosing a solicitor vs a conveyancer in NSW covers this in detail.

What is the cooling-off period in NSW?

When buying residential property in NSW by private treaty, you generally have a five business day cooling-off period after exchange, during which you can withdraw from the contract (forfeiting 0.25% of the purchase price). The cooling-off period can be waived by agreement, and it does not apply to properties bought at auction. Your solicitor advises on whether waiving it is appropriate in your situation.

What does conveyancing actually involve?

Conveyancing covers reviewing the contract before you sign, exchanging contracts, conducting title and other searches, coordinating with your lender on finance, calculating settlement adjustments for rates and levies, and completing settlement and registration of the transfer. Your solicitor manages each of these steps and keeps you informed throughout.

Do I need a solicitor for an off-the-plan purchase?

Yes, and arguably even more so than for an established property. Off-the-plan contracts carry particular risks around completion timelines, sunset clauses, and variations to the finished product, and they’re often long and complex. Having a solicitor review the contract before you sign is strongly recommended. See our off the plan purchase page for more.

Which areas does Hills Solicitors service?

We act for buyers and sellers across Maitland and the Hunter Valley, including East Maitland, Rutherford, Thornton, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, and the broader Newcastle region. Our office is at 447 High Street, Maitland, and we also offer phone and video consultations for clients who can’t attend in person.

Talk to Our Conveyancing Team Today

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a family property, or investing in the Hunter’s growing market, having an experienced conveyancing solicitor on your side gives you confidence that your transaction is being handled properly.

Hills Solicitors has guided Hunter Valley buyers and sellers through property transactions since 1894. We combine practical, plain-language advice with genuine local knowledge to protect your interests at every stage.

Book a consultation with our conveyancing team today, or call us on (02) 4933 5111. Check our FAQ page if you have any questions.

David Allen, Principal & Maitland Solicitor at Hills Solicitors
Daniel Allen, Maitland Solicitor at Hills Solicitors
David Allen, Principal & Maitland Solicitor at Hills Solicitors

Passionate, experienced solicitors Meet the team at Hills

Hills Solicitors first opened its doors in September of 1894 under the name T A Hill. We continued strengthening our roots in the Maitland Community and later became T A Hill & Son, when our founders son joined the family practice. We then made the change to Hills Solicitors.

We have had a total of 3 offices since those early days in 1894, all of which are a 50m walk from our current office.

Meet Your Team

Want to talk to someone about your conveyancing needs?

When you approach Hills Solicitors for any legal advice, we treat you like family. Our valuable clients are members of an evergrowing family that we wouldn’t be here without.
Book a Consultation
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Getting started

At Hills Solicitors, we take pride in our over 130 years of experience and adaptability. Our clients can trust that we will continuously evolve and tailor our services to their changing needs. Our longevity is a testament to our ability to embrace new technologies and create cost-effective solutions for all legal issues. With our extensive knowledge and innovative mindset, we confidently assure our clients that we will always strive to exceed their expectations. Trust us to handle your legal matters with a forward-thinking approach and an unwavering commitment to your success.

Step one Get to know each other

When you come to Hills for advice you are never just another client to us, you become part of our large family and it is vital we get to know you.

Step two Understanding your rights

The first step is to help you understand your rights and how you can approach the issues at hand.

Step three Determining your goals

The most important step is understanding exactly what you would like to see at the end of your matter.

Got questions? We’re here to help

The team at Hills are here to help with all of your legal needs, serving Maitland and the Hunter for over 130 years. With a forward-thinking approach, providing practical solutions, for an affordable price. We’re here to help you when you need us.

Book a Consultation
phoneor call us on
(02) 4933 5111
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