State acts to protect flat developers - Australia
The State Government moved swiftly yesterday to close a legal loophole that could have enabled apartment investors to back out of off-the-plan contracts and threatened more than $14 billion worth of new construction in Victoria.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2004, 12:23AM
by The Landlord
Acting Premier John Thwaites said the legislative changes would be implemented as soon as possible to avoid a rash of litigation against developers.
"We shouldn't have a situation where people are using loopholes, or whatever, to avoid contracts," Mr Thwaites said.
"We want to see clear, certain legislation that implements the law as it's always been understood."
The Government's decision follows an appeal case in the Supreme Court of Victoria last week, where a disgruntled investor challenged the validity of an off-the-plan contract in Mirvac's Yarra Edge development.
The investor, Peter Evan Philip, paid a deposit of 10 per cent on an apartment in the third tower of Yarra's Edge, which was in breach of Victoria's domestic building legislation according to his lawyers, Jerrard & Stuk.
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