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At Gouveia Legal, we understand that property matters represent significant milestones in your life and business. Our experienced team provides clear guidance and practical support to ensure your property transactions proceed smoothly while protecting your legal and financial interests.
We combine legal expertise with a personalised approach to deliver efficient, accurate service with your best interests at heart.
Whether you’re purchasing your first home or adding to your investment portfolio, our team ensures a smooth transaction from contract review to settlement. We conduct thorough searches, explain complex terms, and protect you from potential pitfalls to make your property purchase as stress-free as possible.
Advice delivered in straightforward, easy-to-understand language.
Guidance tailored to what matters most to you.
We aim to provide a 24–48-hour turnaround on all matters.
The conveyancing process typically involves contract review, property searches, finance approval, contract exchange, pre-settlement preparations, and final settlement. Each stage requires careful attention to detail to protect your interests. Our team guides you through every step, ensuring all legal requirements are met and potential issues are identified and addressed early.
Before signing any lease, carefully review the term length, rent amount and review mechanisms, maintenance responsibilities, permitted use clauses, and termination conditions. For commercial leases, also review disclosure statements, outgoings calculations, and options for renewal. We recommend having your lease professionally reviewed to identify unfavorable terms and negotiate better conditions before you sign.
Retirement village purchases differ significantly from standard property transactions. You’ll need to understand the entry contribution, ongoing service fees, departure fees (often a percentage of your entry payment or resale price), and whether you’re purchasing ownership rights or just a license to occupy. We can help you understand these complex arrangements and ensure your rights are protected.
With strata title properties, you own your unit or apartment outright while sharing ownership of common areas through the owners corporation. This means you’ll pay regular strata levies, need to comply with by-laws governing the property’s use, and participate in decisions affecting the building. Before purchasing, we recommend a thorough review of the strata records to identify potential issues such as special levies, building defects, or ongoing disputes.
Beyond the purchase price, budget for: stamp duty (which varies by state and property value), conveyancing fees, loan application and establishment fees, mortgage registration, transfer fees, building and pest inspections, strata inspections (if applicable), council and water rate adjustments, and home insurance. We provide a detailed cost breakdown during our initial consultation so there are no surprises.
When buying off-the-plan, review the sunset clause carefully (which allows for contract termination if construction isn’t completed by a specified date), ensure the contract includes detailed specifications and finishes, understand your rights if the completed property differs from what was promised, and check the developer’s track record. We recommend specific contract conditions to protect you from construction delays, changes to plans, or developer insolvency.
When ending a tenancy or lease, requirements vary based on whether you’re a landlord or tenant and whether it’s residential or commercial property. Generally, you must provide proper written notice (timeframes vary by state and circumstance), ensure the property is in appropriate condition, and properly reconcile any bond or security deposit. Breaking a lease early may incur additional costs unless specific circumstances apply. We can guide you through this process to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
TESTIMONIALS
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Andrew is a Sydney-based solicitor with a strong background in commercial litigation and transactional legal work. He has acted for a broad range of clients across insolvency, estate disputes, and property-related matters. His experience also extends to drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, advising on business and property transactions, and preparing tailored estate planning documents.
Known for delivering clear, commercially minded advice, Andrew established Gouveia Legal to provide clients with legal services that are practical, accessible, and results driven. Whether navigating a dispute or managing a transaction, he brings a strategic approach grounded in understanding each client’s goals and delivering value at every stage.
Clients come to Andrew for straightforward guidance and a solicitor who takes the time to understand their situation and can get results.
In his spare time, Andrew likes to train Jiu-Jitsu, take his dog Henry for long walks and enjoys watching anything by Guy Ritchie or Martin Scorsese.
Melissa is an experienced lawyer with extensive expertise in personal injury law and a keen interest in immigration.
Holding a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Graduate Law Degree, she combines a strong analytical foundation with a compassionate approach to legal advocacy.
With significant experience working as both a plaintiff lawyer at Australia’s top firms and a legal representative for Australia’s insurers, Melissa brings a well-rounded perspective to every case she handles.
Known for her exceptional negotiation skills, Melissa is dedicated to securing the best outcomes for her clients. Her empathetic nature allows her to connect with individuals, understanding their unique challenges and providing clear, supportive guidance through complex legal processes. Committed to achieving justice, Melissa ensures her clients receive fair and timely resolutions to their claims, whether through skilled negotiation or robust representation.
In her spare time, Melissa enjoys fashion, going out with friends and family.
