M. Duncan & Associates

02/09/2021

Hi for those of you interested in the property market- it is interesting to note that in the 12 months to March 2021 some 60000 people apparently relocated from the cities of Melbourne and Sydney to Regional areas. Also over a quarter of a million home owners refinanced to take advantage of the lower interest rates on offer . if you need assistance with your housing /property needs M Duncan & Associates is here to help.

The August edition of Property Now is here. Headlined by analysis from our PEXA Insights team, we delve into the Australian property market's strong start to FY22 and record high refinance numbers. Meanwhile, HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon analyses the relocation from city to country seen in Melbou...

11/06/2020

For those interested here is a link to the Supreme Court of Appeal decision allowing the 'black lives matter' protest to proceed 6 June. The final decision was based upon the interpretation of the statutory provisions allowing approval for the holding of public protests and not around the issue of covid 19 public safety. Originally police approval was given when it was anticipated only a few people might attend and then the organiser notified the police the gathering might be greater so they held discussions. The police commissioner sought an urgent order to prohibit the event Friday 5 June and the NSW Chief Medical officer provided an affidavit supporting the prohibition. The primary judge found in the favour of the police application. The protest organisers appealed on the 6 June and the appeal court then overturned the primary decision while acknowledging all parties had acted professionally in a situation of some urgency and none were to be criticised in the matter. See

Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII), a joint facility of UTS and UNSW Faculties of Law.

05/06/2020

Just to let you know we do offer the services of a migration agent in our firm so if you are looking for information about partner visas business visas etc feel free to contact us. You can also check out the website which we have specialising in migration matters

The Visa application process and immigration law is complex. We will simplify everything for you so you can reach your desired visa outcome.

19/05/2020

To assist in re-opening businesses infection control training will be delivered through the state and territory governments and will be available by 1 July 2020.
For further information visit:

Subsidised infection control training fast-tracked for re-opening businesses Saturday, 16 May 2020 The Australian Government together with state and territory governments have established a new $80 million Infection Control Training Fund to fast-track fee free (or low cost) infection control trainin...

15/05/2020

FUTURE PROOFING: In these extraordinary times we perhaps can reflect on the need for future planning for the unknown or unexpected scenarios in our lives. A trio of documents can be considered as part of your reasonable planning or future proofing - These do not just relate to end of life or following death but allow for unknown circumstances when you might need help. Most people would be advantaged by having appointed (1) an enduring Power of Attorney [financial & property matters] (2) an Enduring Guardian [health and personal lifestyle matters]. Separately these documents often form part of a trio of documents including your Will which is operative only after your death.
Another document some people like to consider is whether to make an Advanced Care Directive setting out their preferences about how their future health needs might be managed. The failure to appoint people you trust to assist you if the need arises might mean that at a future date an application has to be made for a Court or Tribunal to intervene and make decisions about your financial affairs or your health and lifestyle or the distribution of your estate. It is always better to remain in control of your own decision making if you can. You are able to review or update these planing documents but you should take the precaution of having same prepared just in case.

14/05/2020

Here is a link to the latest NSW government Covid rules. These might change but for the time being will operate from Friday 15 May 2020.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules

The item may have a new address or been archived. You can try to find the information another way.

13/05/2020

In addition to the electronic signing laws made by NSW State Government now the Morrison Government has endorsed the electronic signing of company documents under section 127(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). For an initial period of six months, from 6 May 2020 to 5 November 2020, companies will be able to electronically validate documents that were previously required to be physically signed, using e-signatures.

12/05/2020

Some positive news that for various transactions we can now witness remotely by video watching our client and then looking at the signed document so we can check the content is what we all understand is being agreed. This was allowed 22 April by the Electronic Transactions Amendment (COVID-19 Witnessing of Documents) Regulation 2020 . This temporary rule continuing until end of September should be helpful for people who cannot attend our office but need to undertake important arrangements including contracts, wills, etc

24/04/2020

There’s been some confusion over obligations to pay rent during COVID-19. The NSW state government, has agreed to a six-month moratorium on evicting tenants suffering financial distress due to COVID-19 ending in September 2020. This does not mean tenants do not have to pay rent but a tenant may apply to delay or reduce payments without penalty where they’ve been financially impacted by the Coronavirus, subject to the following conditions : (1) a tenant must have lost 25% or more of their income due to COVID-19. (2) The rent will accrue during the moratorium and [3] the tenant will eventually have to pay back the rental arrears. It is not an easy solution for a tenant to accrue debt to be repaid later but it may help with housing needs in the short term. Landlords and tenants should try to be reasonable in their discussions around the rental arrangements both during the crisis and with respect to how to settle arrears after September 2020 if any rental arrears have accrued.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses/general-business-support
https://www.tenants.org.au/blog/renting-and-covid-19-information

On this page Australian Government COVID-19 app Mandatory code of conduct to guide commercial tenancy leases for eligible businesses Temporary moratorium on evictions Request a rent reduction business.gov.au Cancellations and refunds of goods and services Customer communication resources Cybersecuri...

24/04/2020

Are you eligible for a City of Sydney Council grant? The application has to be lodged online by 5 pm Monday next 27 April.

You can fill form via online application but do need some supporting documents to prove some information .

https://cityofsydney.smartygrants.com.au/crgsbg

https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships/business-grants/small-business-grants

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on 9265 9333 during business hours or email [email protected] and quote your submission number.

24/04/2020

If you are wondering can you still sell your home, yes you can only the ways of selling and buying have changed at least in the short term.

Yes you can! Although the way that agents are selling homes is changing in line with federal social distancing restrictions, put in place in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Agents been adapting the selling processes quickly to allow sellers and buyers to continue transacting in the current climat

24/04/2020

People are wondering can they still market their home for Sale. Yes but see article explaining new ways of conducting a sale or buying a property!https://www.therealestatevoice.com.au/sell/can-i-still-sell-my-home/?utm_campaign=personalised-email-covid-19&utm_content=can-i-still-sell-my-home%3F&utm_medium=email&utm_source=activepipe&fbclid=IwAR04tl_ebbQcjEaRuzGTantv4-jJDyk7DtXSwIdBeLgBVmBSjtelEPyL1oc

Find out whether you need to pay land tax on your property, the rates, thresholds, exemptions and concessions that apply, and how to register and pay.