We are just in the process of buying a property in WA, Perth. We were quite shocked that the sellers can claim another 24 hours before having to vacate the premises AFTER you've actually paid for the property and also is it normal that you have to pay the stamp duty UP FRONT before even settlement takes place. Our settlement agency has sent info through to us asking for the stamp duty two weeks before settlement - any help !!

Yep, that is correct. Handing over all that money is bad enough without having to do it up front!

It depends on the sellers as well. Ours were really nice so they vacated before the entry date but they did have the right to stay for another 24 hours after the settlement date. However, we were only told this a few days before settlement so if the sellers hadn't been so nice we would have been in trouble!

Thanks for the reply Binky. Its so different to home!! When I asked about the 24 hour thingy and said well they could squat in your house if they wanted to, the settlement agency said well we've never heard of that before !!! Maybe theres always a first !! hope not. Merry Xmas anyway.

That 24hr thing may be a WA thing. Not heard of it myself.

On a Victoria Stamp duty site it quotes "The purchaser is liable to pay the duty within 3 months of settlement"

Here in QLD, I think we paid the stamp duty on the date of settlement.

Damn foiled again. There was me thinking this was going to be a thread on penile warts.

get a life

Yeah, it's a pain, we had to move in at 12pm on the Saturday... she took longer that that to get out, but at least the house was tidy and clean - settlement date was the day before. Try and push for settlement on a day before a day which suits you! We also had loads of cr@p left, I am still chucking it out each bin day

Get a sense of humour