Victorian Property Settlements
Reviews (7)
Do not use this business
This is the worst business I have ever dealt with in the professional sector? Do not use this company? If you do don't say you weren't warned
No-nonsense, all results – the conveyancers who actually work for you
I’ve seen the reviews online—and let me say this clearly: David and Joanne are exactly the kind of conveyancers you want in your corner. They take no prisoners, they know the law backwards, and they don’t mess around when it comes to protecting your interests.
They handled my sale and purchase like seasoned professionals under the Sale of Land Act and Transfer of Land Act, caught mistakes others missed, and weren't afraid to push back hard when needed. If you want someone to hold your hand, go elsewhere. If you want someone to fight for you and get results, this is the team.
Forget the noise online—most people complain when they don’t get their way. I’m here to say Victorian Property Settlements absolutely deliver, and I wouldn’t use anyone else.
Approximate cost: $1250
Hi David,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. We really appreciate it.
Joanne and I have always taken the view that our job is to make sure our clients interests are properly protected and that the transaction is handled correctly from start to finish. Property contracts can look simple on the surface, but once you start dealing with the requirements of the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic), the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic), and the many practical issues that arise during a transaction, experience and attention to detail really do matter.
We try to keep things straightforward with our clients. Clear advice, honest communication, and addressing problems early rather than letting them become bigger issues later. When something doesnt look right, we will raise it and deal with it. That approach has served our clients well over the years.
It was a pleasure assisting with your sale and purchase, and we are very grateful that you chose Victorian Property Settlements to handle the matter.
If we can ever assist you again in the future, you know where to find us.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03 9783 0111
www.victorianpropertysettlements.com.au
I used them three times over the years and was extremely happy .
Hi Belinda,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
We really appreciate your continued support over the years and are very pleased to hear you were happy with the service each time.
Property transactions can be stressful, so our aim is always to keep the process clear, organised and handled properly from start to finish.
It has been a pleasure assisting you on those matters and we look forward to helping again whenever you need us.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
PO Box 11220
Frankston VIC 3199
03 9783 0111
If I could give minus stars I would. Used this firm and very unprofessional. They do not return any calls or emails. They are rude and overcharge you with hidden fees and charges. I would not recommend them at all.
Hi John,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
From the information provided it is difficult for us to identify the matter you are referring to, and it is not clear whether you were a client of ours or involved in a transaction where we were acting for the other party.
In many property transactions we act for either the purchaser or the vendor, and it is quite common that the other party to the contract may form a view about our involvement. Our role in those situations is to act firmly in the interests of the client who has engaged us and to ensure the contract is carried out in accordance with the terms of the agreement and the applicable legislation, including the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic) and the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic).
Where we are acting for one side of the transaction, the other party may experience that as a very firm or uncompromising position, particularly where deadlines, contractual rights, or compliance with the contract are involved. Our responsibility is to the client who has appointed us, and we take that responsibility seriously.
It is possible that you may have been the purchaser where we were acting for the vendor, or the vendor where we were acting for the purchaser. In either case, our obligation is to represent our clients interests and to ensure the contract is enforced as written.
If you were in fact a client of Victorian Property Settlements, we would welcome the opportunity to review the matter and understand the concerns you have raised. If you are able to contact us with the property address or transaction details, we would be happy to look into the file and respond more specifically.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199
Extremely unprofessional and unreliable, made my experience extremely stressful due to the lack of communication and unprofessionalism, not returning my calls even on the day of settlement, I was completely left in the dark and as such the settlement didn't complete as it should have. It's now 5 weeks later and the settlement is still ongoing, extremely stressful and upsetting experience.
Hi Amy,
Thank you for your review.
We take comments about property transactions seriously. However, the circumstances described in this review do not match any matter that we can identify from the information provided.
In a conveyancing transaction the settlement date and completion of settlement are not controlled by one party alone. Settlement can only occur when all parties to the contract are ready to complete and the required documents and funds are available. Delays are often caused by factors outside the control of any single conveyancer, including lender readiness, document execution, adjustments between the parties, or other issues that arise during the settlement process.
It is also unusual for a settlement to remain incomplete for an extended period such as five weeks without the involvement and agreement of both parties to the contract, their representatives and any relevant lenders. Because of this, the situation described does not correspond with any file we are aware of.
If you were involved in a transaction where our firm acted, please feel free to contact us directly with the property address or file details so that we can review the matter and respond properly.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199
I'd give this company 0 stars if I could.
He and his team are atrocious to deal with. Stay away.
Unfortunately, they were the vendor's conveyancers for the purchase of my first property. He did not return my conveyancer's emails promptly, he did not return my conveyancer's calls and he did a very good job of being unavailable. He also delayed settlement by not providing certain documentation, but during this time period he did not liaise and cooperate with my conveyancer. Instead, he served me a notice of default even though it was not our fault the original settlement did not go ahead. This was a legal fee to the tune of $770. What a way to burn through a first home buyer's wallet.
Then, he scheduled settlement for Friday. The original settlement was Monday. Why, do you ask? He demanded payment of penalty interest - even though the delayed settlement was his fault. But, on paper, he made it look like it was my/my conveyancer's fault. I had no other choice but to pay the penalty interest.
[redacted name] is an interesting character. [redacted inflammatory comment]. Sometimes you wonder whether he's even acting for the vendor, as he actually acting for himself most the time. For example, charging a $145 amendment fee to change the original settlement date.
I've heard it come directly from his mouth too: that he knows he can get away with things, as everything is done by the books. It's just very unprofessional, disgraceful and disgusting. He knows how to play the game.
He does not seem to realise that his business serves both sides of the fence (vendors and buyers), which means you need to be professional on all fronts. I would highly recommend you consider other conveyancers for your property transactions.
Total fee payable to them was $770 for "notice of default" and $145 for "settlement amendment" - and I am the PURCHASER!
Approximate cost: $1015
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, adjustments sometimes do need to be redone where incorrect figures have been prepared by another representative. When that occurs we will correct the figures so the settlement can proceed properly, however that work is additional work and we do charge for it. We do not believe that our client should have to absorb the cost of errors made by another conveyancer.
Our role is to act in the interests of the client who has engaged us and to ensure that the financial adjustments and settlement figures are accurate before settlement proceeds. If adjustments need to be recalculated or corrected because they were not prepared correctly the first time, that work must be done properly so the parties settle on the correct figures.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199
I totally agree with you Andrew. I've just reported them to the ACCC due to their terrible customer service (February 2018). I've had situations where I've called and emailed them and still not received a reply or return call 5 days later (at critical times throughout the sale of my property). I had to change Conveyancers and they still want the full fee of course!
Now the price for adjustment arm ended is $450 they work closely with agent so run away is deal with them
This is an unsolicited review. Victoria Property Settlements is a long-established family-run company, staffed by honest, cheerful people, with more than two decades of experience. My family & I have been dealing with them for the past 10 years, Each time we bought or sold a property in Victoria, it has always been with them. Why? Because they have always gone that extra mile for us and have worked tirelessly to protect our interests over many years. One of the few agencies in Frankston/Seaford which has its own trust account, where your funds are safe and bank-guaranteed; this makes transactions safer, with less risk to both vendor and purchaser.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your kind words. We have only just come across this review and wanted to say how much we appreciate you taking the time to write it.
It was always a pleasure assisting you and your family over the years with your property transactions. Clients who come back time and again are the best indication that we are doing something right, and we are very grateful for the trust you placed in us.
We also understand you have since headed off to Japan. We hope everything is going well for you there and that life is treating you kindly. Thank you again for the support you showed our small family business over the years.
All the very best,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199
FAQs
When was your business founded?
2001
What guarantees or warranties do you offer, if any?
The government requires professional indemnity insurance for licensing
What is your level of experience in this line of work?
More than three decades working within the property industry, including experience in local government planning, real estate sales, and conveyancing. This background provides a comprehensive understanding of property transactions from contract negotiation through to final settlement.
What certifications, qualifications or awards has your business received?
David Dawn is a licensed conveyancer in Victoria and holds the qualifications required under the Conveyancers Act 2006 (Vic).
When the licensing system for conveyancers was first introduced in Victoria, only a small number of licences were issued in the initial intake. David holds licence number 65. On the first day licences were issued, only around 80 were granted across the state and the numbering simply reflected the order in which they were processed rather than any ranking.
Being part of that original group reflects the length of time David has been practising as a licensed conveyancer in Victoria. Over the years he has assisted buyers and sellers across a wide range of property transactions and has built a practice based largely on repeat clients and referrals.
While formal qualifications are essential, experience gained from handling real property transactions over many years is what ultimately allows a conveyancer to guide clients through the process with confidence.
What is your fee structure like? Fixed fees? Hourly rates?
Our standard conveyancing services are generally offered on a fixed fee basis so clients know the cost of the core work involved in their transaction from the outset.
Most property transactions follow a fairly standard process, and for those matters a fixed fee works well. However, from time to time additional issues arise during a transaction such as contract disputes, extensions of time, default notices, complex negotiations between the parties, or other unexpected matters.
Where additional work outside the normal scope of a standard conveyancing matter is required, those items may be charged separately. In many cases we will either agree on a fixed fee for that additional work or charge it on a time basis, depending on the nature of the issue.
Our approach is to keep the fee structure clear and practical while ensuring that the work required to properly protect our clients interests is carried out.
What are your payment terms and conditions? Do you offer payment plans? Afterpay? Interest-free terms?
Our payment structure is simple and designed to align with the way property transactions are normally settled.
At the start of the matter we take a small upfront payment to cover out of pocket expenses such as title searches, certificates and other government or authority charges required during the conveyancing process.
The balance of our professional fees is usually paid at settlement as part of the normal financial adjustments that occur in a property transaction. At that time funds are already being transferred to cover items such as council rates, water rates, government fees and other settlement adjustments, so our fee is simply included as part of that final settlement process.
This approach means clients generally do not need to make multiple payments throughout the transaction, as the majority of the costs are handled at settlement.
What makes you unique compared to your competitors?
Our experience goes beyond conveyancing alone. Having worked across local government planning, real estate sales, and property transactions for many years, we bring a broader understanding of how the property system works. That perspective helps us identify issues early and protect our clients interests throughout the process.
What insurance do you hold, and what value are you covered for?
Victorian Property Settlements holds the professional indemnity insurance required for licensed conveyancers under the Victorian licensing framework administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Licensed conveyancers in Victoria must maintain approved professional indemnity insurance as a condition of holding a licence. Evidence of that insurance must be provided to the regulator and kept current in order for the licence to remain valid.
This means that all properly licensed conveyancing practices operating in Victoria are required to carry professional indemnity insurance that meets the same regulatory standards.
Our licence and compliance with these requirements can be verified through the public register maintained by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Do you have a favourite client story you'd like to share?
One situation that comes up more often than people realise is when a transaction has already gone off the rails. From time to time we are contacted by clients or agents after a deal has become stuck due to missed deadlines, incorrect documents, or confusion about how the contract should be handled.
In those cases our role is to step in, work through the contract carefully, and get the transaction back on track so the parties can actually complete settlement. Sometimes that means negotiating with the other side, sometimes it means enforcing the contract properly.
Seeing a stressful situation turn into a successful settlement for the client is always satisfying, particularly when they thought the deal had completely fallen apart.
Services
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Melbourne, VIC 3004
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Sunday: Closed
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Hi D M.,
Thank you for leaving a review.
Unfortunately from the information provided it is not possible for us to identify the matter you are referring to or whether you were a client of Victorian Property Settlements. If you did engage our firm, we would be grateful if you could contact us directly with the property address or transaction details so that we can review the file and understand the concerns you have raised.
In many property transactions we act for only one side of the contract, either the purchaser or the vendor. It is not uncommon for the other party to the transaction, who is represented by their own conveyancer or solicitor, to form a view about our involvement. Our role in those circumstances is to act firmly in the interests of the client who has engaged us and to ensure that the contract is carried out in accordance with the terms agreed between the parties and the applicable legislation, including the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic) and the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic).
Where contractual rights need to be enforced or deadlines must be met, that approach can sometimes be experienced by the other side of the transaction as being very direct. Our responsibility, however, is to the client who has appointed us and to ensuring the contract is administered correctly.
If you were in fact a client of our firm, we would welcome the opportunity to understand the specific issue and respond appropriately. Please feel free to contact us so we can look into the matter further.
Kind regards,
David Dawn
Licensed Conveyancer
Victorian Property Settlements
Post Office Box 11220
Frankston Victoria 3199