University of Technology Sydney

12518 Property Transactions

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces students to the NSW legal framework as it applies to the ownership of personal property including intellectual property, real property (incorporating concepts of title, leasehold and mortgage other interests), conveyancing processes in NSW, and obtaining options to purchase. An overview of the law of contract with emphasis on construction contracts and joint venture agreements is also considered together with the law of negligence including liability for negligently given advice or certification and the operation of the statute of limitations. The subject further considers the manner in which local government building, planning and subdivision approvals are provided in NSW including mechanisms for appeal to the Land and Environment Court.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Appropriately apply the relevant legal framework to a range of interests held in both real and personal property, conveying property and the provision of related certifications, approvals and professional advice.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the law of contract, both common and statute
3. Research and demonstrate an understanding of legal source material.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Effectively apply a variety of communication skills and technologies in professional contexts (C.1)
  • Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of built environment law and procedures in a variety of property-related contexts (P.4)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to property development (R.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is scheduled over 2 x primary teaching blocks, each comprising a Thursday evening (6pm-9pm) and Friday & Saturday from 9am-5pm.

Teaching and Learning strategies include face-to-face classes incorporating both lectures & workshop exercises. These are supplemented with online learning materials on Canvas. Learning Strategies are otherwise orientated towards the practical application of the law in dealing with legal matters surrounding the ownership and transfer of property together with the actions and conduct of industry & professionals engaged in this and related fields.

Active learning opportunities are integrated within this subject via group and individual workshop exercises and assessments. Students are also required to give individual presentations on case studies to the class.

A minimum of 80% attendance is required, as per UTS guidelines.

Content (topics)

The topics that will be covered in the course include:

  • Contract Law
    • Elements of a contract - formation - intention, offer and acceptance, consideration
    • Estoppel
    • Terms of a contract
    • Contractual documents
    • Consent
    • Capacity
    • Discharge and dissolution
    • Remedies for breach
    • Options
  • Torts
    • Intentional Torts
    • Negligence
    • Duty of Care
    • Breach of the Duty of Care
    • Damages
    • Defences
    • Negligence of Builders, Local Authorities and others
  • Classification of Property
    • Personal Property
    • Real Property
    • Fixtures
  • Ownership/Possession
    • Title to property
    • Possession of Property
  • Estates and Interests in Land
    • Fee Simple
    • Life Estate
    • Leasehold
    • Joint ownership
    • Joint tenancy
    • Tenancy-in-common
  • Title to Land
    • Old System
    • Torrens Title
    • Qualified Title
    • Limited Title
    • Strata Title
    • Native Title
  • Incumbrances
    • Covenants
    • Easements
  • Mortgages
    • Old System Mortgages
    • Torrens Mortgages
    • Equity of Redemption
    • Foreclosure
    • Power of Sale
  • Leases
    • Classification of Leases
    • Creation of Leases
    • Termination of Leases
    • Residential Leases
    • Commercial Leases
    • Retail Leases Act 1994
  • Business Structures
    • Partnership v Joint Venture

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Contracts Assignment

Intent:

The purpose of this assignment is to introduce students to legal research and to demonstrate an understanding of the law of contract as it applies to the ownership and transfer of property and / or construction projects.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, P.4 and R.1

Type: Essay
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Length:

This assessment has a 2,000 word limit.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Demonstrate an understanding of the law of contract 50 2 P.4
Conduct and use legal research to provide informed opinions 30 3 R.1
Communicate information to a professional standard 20 2 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Native Title and legislation

Intent:

Critically reflect on the intersection of Native Title, Indigenous heritage, and Indigenous land rights and the profession and apply communication and consultation skills to work effectively for and with Indigenous Australians.ange request]

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, P.4 and R.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Length:

This assessment has a 2,000 word limit.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Demonstrate a systhesis of Property Law 50 1 P.4
Adequately research allocated topic 30 3 R.1
Communicate knowledge to a professional standard 20 1 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Class Presentation

Intent:

This assessment provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to conduct legal research related to a specific topic and following present their findings to enable peer learning and discussion. Specific topics are taken from a broad range of legal issues surrounding the provision of professional advice, conducting property transactions and related contractual matters.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, P.4 and R.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Adequately research the allocated topic 25 3 R.1
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic 25 1 P.4
Prepare and deliver a 6 minute presentation of your findings 25 1 C.1
Prepare a 1-2 page summary notes for distribution to the class 25 1 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

Refer to "Subject Recources" under "pages" in CANVAS for this subject.

Recommended texts

Refer to "Subject Recources" under "pages" in CANVAS for this subject.

References

Refer to "Subject Recources" under "pages" in CANVAS for this subject.