B01 · BUYER GUIDE
Read article →Buying Commercial Property in NSW: What to Check Before You Sign
Contracts, title checks, intended use, leases and the questions buyers should ask before signing.
COMMERCIAL & RETAIL PROPERTY
Commercial Retail Property
Buying or selling commercial property? Start with the right information.
From retail shops and offices to warehouses and tenanted investment premises, commercial property transactions can involve more than the purchase price. Understand the contract, existing leases, property restrictions and other considerations before you sign.
Photo: Lennon Cheng / Unsplash
Plain-English adviceProperty transfers without the legal jargon
Buying and selling supportGuidance tailored to the property transaction
NSW-wide assistanceSydney, Nowra and Ulladulla offices
YOUR PROPERTY TRANSFER PARTNERS
Commercial property deserves a closer look.
A shop may come with an existing lease. An office may have strata obligations. A warehouse may have planning restrictions that matter for your business. The property and its documents should be considered together.
Bliss Conveyancing explains property transactions in plain English and provides personalised services. Its website confirms assistance with commercial buildings and shopping centres, with offices in Sydney, Nowra and Ulladulla.
Talk to Bliss about your transaction →START WITH THE FACTS
Are you buying or selling?
Different transactions involve different documents, obligations and questions.
FOR BUYERS
Buying commercial or retail property
Considering a shop, office, warehouse or investment premises? Understand the property's legal and practical circumstances.
- Contract, special conditions and inclusions
- Leases, occupation and rental arrangements
- Title, strata and other restrictions
- Planning controls and intended use
- Duty, GST and funding arrangements
FOR SELLERS
Selling commercial or retail property
Get relevant documents and advice organised for a contract involving a shop, office or investment premises.
- Current title and property information
- Existing leases and tenancy details
- Mortgages and other interests
- GST and tax questions for advisers
- Settlement and handover instructions
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Six questions worth asking early
These are starting points, not a substitute for advice about the particular property.
01 / CONTRACT TERMS
What are you actually agreeing to?
Check conditions, deposit, timeframes, inclusions and obligations with your appointed adviser.
02 / EXISTING LEASES
Does a tenant occupy the property?
Review lease terms, options, rent, outgoings and whether vacant possession is available.
03 / PLANNING & USE
Can you use it as intended?
Check zoning, relevant consents and whether your proposed use requires further approvals.
04 / TITLE & STRATA
What affects the title?
Consider easements, restrictions, strata obligations and other registered interests.
05 / GST & DUTY
What will the transaction cost?
Clarify transfer duty, GST treatment, adjustments and taxation questions with appropriate advisers.
06 / SETTLEMENT
What happens at handover?
Understand finance dates, documents, adjustments and any tenancy or access arrangements.
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
Buying a shop doesn't necessarily mean buying the business inside it.
Property ownership, business ownership and lease arrangements can be different matters.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE
Commercial & Retail Property: Your First Meeting Checklist
A practical starting point to help you feel prepared before your first conversation with Bliss Conveyancing.
FREE CHECKLIST · PDF
A little preparation now can save time, money and stress.
Buying or selling commercial property involves important documents, financial considerations and deadlines. Our free checklist helps you get organised before your first meeting with Bliss Conveyancing.
- Save time: Know which documents and information to gather, helping reduce unnecessary back-and-forth.
- Help avoid unexpected costs: Identify important questions about contracts, leases, GST, finance and settlement early.
- Reduce stress: Feel more prepared and confident about what to discuss and what happens next.
You don't need to have everything ready. Start with what you have, and we'll help you understand the next steps.
Download Your Free Checklist (PDF)General information only. The checklist is a starting point, not individual advice.
LEARN MORE
Commercial property insights
Explore six practical articles about buying, selling and settling commercial or retail property in NSW.
B02 · SELLER GUIDE
Read article →Selling Commercial Property in NSW: Getting the Contract Ready
How to organise title, lease, mortgage and contract information before placing commercial premises on the market.
B03 · BUYER GUIDE
Read article →Commercial Property Zoning: Why Intended Use Matters
Why a shopfront or warehouse does not automatically have approval for every business activity.
B04 · BUYER/SELLER GUIDE
Read article →GST and Going Concern Rules When Selling Commercial Property
Understand the questions to raise about taxable sales, GST-free going concerns and contract wording.
B05 · INVESTOR GUIDE
Read article →Buying a Tenanted Commercial or Retail Property: The Lease Checklist
What investors should know about lease terms, rent, outgoings, security and tenancy obligations.
B06 · BUYER/SELLER GUIDE
Read article →Commercial Property Settlement: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Prepare
Practical settlement preparation for purchasers, sellers and tenanted investment premises.
QUESTIONS WE OFTEN HEAR
Commercial property FAQs
Is buying a commercial property different from buying a home?
Yes. Commercial transactions can involve existing leases, planning and use restrictions, specialist conditions and GST treatment, depending on the property.
What happens if a commercial property already has a tenant?
The tenancy and contract may affect possession, rental income, obligations and settlement arrangements. Check the lease documents with the appropriate advisers.
Does commercial property attract transfer duty in NSW?
Transfer duty generally applies to NSW commercial property purchases unless an exemption applies. Confirm the current rules and your circumstances with your adviser.
Will GST apply to my sale or purchase?
GST treatment depends on the transaction. Some transactions may qualify as GST-free supplies of a going concern if the requirements are satisfied. Obtain tax advice.
Can I use a shop for any business I choose?
Not necessarily. Zoning, development consents, licences and other restrictions may affect intended use.
Can Bliss help outside Nowra or Ulladulla?
Yes. Bliss has offices in Sydney, Nowra and Ulladulla and says it serves clients across New South Wales. Confirm your particular transaction scope with Bliss.
CONTACT BLISS CONVEYANCING
Planning a commercial property transaction?
Whether you are looking at buying or selling, contact Bliss to discuss your property and confirm the assistance and engagement arrangements appropriate to your circumstances.