The legal side of a Territory property sale is the same whether you sell privately or through an agent, and your conveyancer or lawyer does the heavy lifting. You get to focus on the fun part: presenting your home and meeting buyers! Here's every step. It's general information, not legal advice.
1. Engage your conveyancer or lawyer
Do this when you choose your PLBO package. The NT has experienced conveyancers and lawyers who prepare the contract, hold the deposit in trust and complete settlement.
2. The approved contract of sale
An approved form of contract must be used for property sales in the NT (NT.GOV.AU). It sets out:
- The parties, property, price and deposit, and where the deposit is held in trust
- The settlement date
- Inclusions and special conditions, such as finance and a building inspection
3. Cooling-off
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 business days for non-auction sales |
| Flexibility | can be waived, reduced or extended by agreement |
| Auctions | no cooling-off |
4. Pools and spas
For residential properties under 1.8 hectares (NT.GOV.AU):
| Situation | What the seller provides |
|---|---|
| No pool or spa | a statutory declaration stating there's no pool or spa |
| Pool built after 1 January 2003 | a copy of the compliance certificate in the seller's name |
| Pool built before 1 January 2003 | the relevant compliance certificate, acknowledgement notice or self-declaration |
Provide these before settlement. Processing can take around five working days, or longer if upgrades are needed, so start early!
5. Deposit
Held in trust as set out in the contract.
6. Tax
- ATO clearance certificate. Since 1 January 2025, buyers must withhold 15% on every property sale unless the seller provides a valid clearance certificate at or before settlement (ATO). It's free and online.
- Capital gains tax. Your main residence is generally exempt. Investments usually aren't, fully or partly.
- GST. Not normally payable on an existing home.
7. Settlement adjustments
Your conveyancer apportions council rates, Power and Water charges and any body corporate levies so you pay only for your time as owner.
8. Building and safety items
- Building paperwork: have approvals and certification for extensions, sheds, carports and granny flats handy. Buyers love tidy paperwork.
- Smoke alarms: make sure they're working.
- Cyclone features: mention shutters and any cyclone-rated construction details.
Document checklist: gather these in week one
| Document | Where from |
|---|---|
| Approved contract of sale | your conveyancer or lawyer |
| Pool compliance certificate or statutory declaration | the NT Pool Fencing Unit, or you |
| Title search | your conveyancer |
| Council rates notice | your council |
| Power and Water account | Power and Water |
| Building approvals and certification | NT Building Advisory Services, or your records |
| Body corporate details (units) | your body corporate manager |
| ATO clearance certificate | ATO online |
9. Settlement day
Settlement is completed by the conveyancers or lawyers. You hand over the keys and receive 100% of your sale proceeds. PLBO takes no commission.
The part you control: price and presentation
While your conveyancer looks after the legal steps, you focus on the exciting part! Your PLBO property comparables report shows recent sales of similar homes near you, so you can set your asking price with confidence and talk to Territory buyers from a position of strength. Then list in minutes with Generate with AI.
Put it into action
Follow the NT 8-week plan and choose your PLBO package. While your conveyancer prepares the contract, PLBO puts your home in front of buyers on PLBO and across Domain, view, homely, Soho, realty, onthehouse and allhomes*. Let's get it sold!
*Availability on allhomes.com.au may depend on the property's location, listing type and applicable portal requirements.