The change of ownership must be recorded with the authorities that deal with the land. A notice of acquisition records the buyer as the new owner for land tax and rating purposes under section 103 of the Land Tax Act 2005 and the Land Tax Regulations 2025. In an electronic settlement it is generated and sent to Land Services Victoria and the State Revenue Office automatically when the transfer completes, and it is then printed and sent to the council, the water authority and any owners corporation.
The vendor side gives a notice of disposition to the water authority under section 159 of the Water Act 1989 and the related regulations. In practice both a notice of acquisition on buying and a notice of disposition on selling are sent, and an authority will return a form it does not require.
These notices ensure future rates, land tax and water accounts are directed to the correct owner.
This is the kind of matter CMK Legal's property and conveyancing team handles.
Missing notices can leave accounts directed to the wrong party and cause confusion over later rates and land tax. The electronic process automates the land registry notice, but the copies to the council, water authority and owners corporation still need to be sent.
Law referenced: Land Tax Act 2005 s 103 and Land Tax Regulations 2025; Water Act 1989 s 159 and regulations. Section H. Particular property types and special issues