What is a Caveat?

A caveat is a type of statutory injunction preventing the registration of particular dealings with real property. A caveat acts as a warning or formal notice to tell the public that there is an interest on the land or property for a particular reason. The word caveat means ‘beware’ and lodging a caveat on real property warns anyone dealing with the property that someone has a priority interest in that property. The party who lodges a caveat is known as a Caveator.

Reasons for Lodging a Caveat

If you have an estate or interest in land through which registration of another dealing cannot protect, you may consider lodging a caveat to protect your legal position. This is known as a caveatable interest. You must ensure that you have a genuine legal interest at the time you are lodging the caveat.

Caveatable interests include a registered or equitable mortgage, transfer, a purchaser under an agreement for sale, a tenant (in certain circumstances), a registered proprietor and contractual rights such as a Commercial Credit Agreement which contains a charging clause.

Any person with an interest in land, or who wishes to claim an estate, may lodge a caveat. A person who has an Australian court order restraining the registered proprietor from dealing with a property can also lodge a caveat.

When a caveat is lodged it effectively prevents the registration of further dealings on the property’s title until the caveat:

• is formally withdrawn by the Caveator;
• lapses;
• is removed by a court order; or
• the Caveator consents to another’s registration that deals with the property’s title.

Please contact our expert staff if you wish to discuss a Caveat to secure your debt. No matter which State or Territory the property is in, we are able to assist you.

What is a Writ?

A Writ of Execution will allow a sheriff or other similar official to take possession of (real) property owned by a judgment debtor.

Reasons for Registering a Writ

Registration of a Writ over real property, coupled with an Enforcement Warrant (Seizure & Sale) will secure your interests for six months (able to be renewed at the end of six months for a further six months).  The Writ and Warrant will enable  the Bailiff/Sheriff to auction the property and, if equity is available, recover the debt owed to you.