By Russell Cocks, Solicitor
First published in the Law Institute Journal
Contracts that relate to the sale of land prior to approval of a plan of subdivision are the subject of ss 9 and 10 of the Sale of Land Act. Whilst not specifically defined as such, Off the Plan contracts are referred to as ‘prescribed contracts’ s 9AA(7).
Section 9AA
This essentially relates to the deposit that is payable under a prescribed contract.
A prescribed contract must provide that the deposit be held on trust for the purchaser pending registration of the plan, s 9AA (1)(a), and limits the deposit to a maximum of 10% of the purchase price, s 9AA(1)(b). For an abundance of caution s 9AA(2) provides that the deposit must in fact be paid into a trust account.
Failure by the vendor to comply with s 9AA(1) or (2) entitles the purchaser to rescind the contract at any time before the registration of the plan – s 9AE.
The Law Institute of Victoria copyright contract includes the required conditions.
Section 9AB
Creates an obligation on the vendor of a prescribed contract to disclose in the contract, s 9AB(1), and as an ongoing obligation during the contract, s 9AB(2), works affecting the natural surface level of the lot or adjoining land.
Breach of this obligation also justifies rescission under s 9AE. It is common in large scale land subdivision to see these ‘fill plans’ as land subdividers effectively push and pull land around to create relatively flat building allotments. Purchasers are entitled to know where large amounts of fill may be deposited as this can have a substantial effect on building costs. But it is rare to see ‘fill plans’ in sales of residential units. Everest Projects P/L v Mendoza [2008] VSC 366 accepted the argument that lots on upper floor did not have a ‘natural surface level’ for the purposes of this requirement, reserving for another day any argument about lots that may be constructed or adjoining ground level.
Section 9AC
The amendment of a plan of subdivision in a prescribed contract between the date of the contract and the time of registration of the plan of subdivision may justify rescission.
The sub-section envisages the possibility of an amendment arising from the actions of one of two sources:
- the Registrar of Titles may ’require’ an amendment; or
- the vendor may ‘request’ an amendment.
The vendor is obliged to ‘advise the purchaser in writing of the proposed amendment’ and that advice must be provided within 14 days of the registrar’s requirement or the vendor’s request.
The purchaser’s right to end the contract pursuant to s 9AC does NOT end upon registration of the plan. It ends 14 days after sufficiently specific advice of the proposed amendment is provided to the purchaser. If the vendor has amended the plan after contract and has not provided the purchaser with any, or any sufficient, advice about the amendment then the purchaser remains entitled to end the contract within 14 days of receiving such advice. If the vendor advises the purchaser that the plan is registered the contract will generally require the purchaser to settle within a period of 7 to 14 days from advice of registration. The purchaser must at that stage satisfy itself in relation to amendments as the purchaser is contractually bound to settle unless the purchaser can rely on this statutory right to avoid, which right has survived registration of the plan.
The mere provision of an amended plan by the vendor without more might not satisfy the vendor’s advice obligation.
Once advice is given by the vendor to the purchaser, the purchaser has 14 days in which to rescind the contract, but may only do so if the amendment ‘materially effects’ the lot Besser v Alma Homes P/L [2012] VSC 460 held that an amendment to the entitlement and liability Schedule materially affected the purchaser’s lot and the purchaser was entitled to rescind.
Lockwood v PSP Investments P/L [2013] VSC 10 held that a change in car parking arrangements was ‘material’. The Court held that the purchaser satisfied the sub-section by proving ‘material effect’ and did not have to additionally prove detriment. Other changes to the plan were held to be not ‘material’ and reference in this regard was made to Gold Coast Carlton P/L v Wilson [1985] Qd R 182 where minor changes to anticipated Owners Corporation charges were NOT material.
These provisions put a heavy burden on purchaser’s advisors in respect of checking registered plans against contractual plans.
Section 10
That we have both s 9AC and s 10 is probably a legislative quirk and there would be benefit achieved if they could be merged as they both address amendments to the proposed plan of subdivision. Importantly, s 10 is limited in its application to PRIOR to registration of the plan and if the purchaser has not exercised the s 10 rights before registration, those rights expire.
Section 10 has a ‘restriction’ focus and in fact excludes restrictions imposed by a public authority as part of the subdivisional process from justifying avoidance. However such a restriction would generally ‘materially effect’ the lot and s 9AC would apply.
Section 9AE
Section 9AE(1) is the penalty provision for breach of other provisions and allows for rescission for breach of s 9AA(1) or (2) or s 9AB.
Section 9AE(2) is a stand-alone provision creating an obligation and a right to rescind for breach. The obligation is to have the plan registered within what is known as a sunset period, being 18 months from the date of the relevant contract or such other date as is specified in the contract.
Solid Investments P/L v Clifford [2010] VSCA 59 established that whilst the vendor is free to nominate in the contract a period other than the default period of 18 months established by the sub-section, that nominated period is fixed and cannot be unilaterally extended by the vendor.
Tips
Whilst written for Victoria this article has interest and relevance for practitioners in all states.