Property

Our Property Services team assists in managing properties for purchase, sale, build, lease and maintenance.

This includes general property transactions, caveats, covenants easements, lease negotiations, highest and best use of property and the ongoing management of assets for the common wealth of the Church.

The purpose of Property Services is to optimise property assets and remain focused on mission directives.

SECTIONS

Contacts

John Smith

Director of Property

✉ john.smith@example.org

☎ (03) 9000 1234

Sarah Jenkins

Asset Manager

✉ sarah.j@example.org

☎ (03) 9000 5678

Michael Chen

Compliance Officer

✉ m.chen@example.org

☎ (03) 9000 8899

PROPERTY HELPDESK

PROPERTY INQUIRY

USEFUL LINKS

Synod Property Policy

Victorian Heritage Register

Land Registry Services

Asset Management

Real Estate Advisory Services guides and assists Church entities with the complex issues involving buying and selling property, as well as ongoing management of Church assets.

Its aim is to support you and to extract best value from the marketplace, without compromising quality or adding unnecessary cost to entities.

The Property Board has introduced the Enhanced Governance Process for disposal of Church property/asset sales in order to achieve the best possible outcome for church entities. Any property/asset sale more than $500,000 is to have a co-agency agreement with the Real Estate Advisory Function at Property Services. The REAF will:

work with the Church entity to seek and appoint appropriate and credible real estate agents.
work with the Church entity to seek marketing submissions from at least two credible estate agents.
negotiate sharpened sales agent commission rates and advertising schedule rates on behalf of the Church entity.
will oversee the sales process, giving advice to the Church entity as required.

Building, maintenance and minor works

If the congregation has cash on hand for works up to $50,000 and a building permit is not required, then the congregation can proceed without Property Board approval for a permit, provided the appropriate presbytery processes and approvals are followed.

If the project requires access to Property Sale Proceeds, a grant and/or a loan then refer to the process for minor works (less than $1million). The following building approval limits have been set and approved by the Synod.

Works requiring a building permit

Works requiring a building permit
Cost of works	Funding source	Approval required
Any amount	Fully funded by the congregation, property sale proceeds or loan	To be approved by the congregation, presbytery and PART on behalf of Property Board

Works not requiring a building permit, use of sale proceeds, grants or loans, or formal building contracts
Cost of works	Funding source	Approval required
$0–$10,000	Fully funded by the congregation	To be approved by the congregation
$10,000–$20,000	Fully funded by the congregation	To be approved by the congregation, with presbytery advised before work begins
$20,000–$50,000	Fully funded by the congregation	To be approved by the congregation and presbytery
$50,000+	Fully funded by the congregation	To be approved by the congregation, presbytery and PART on behalf of the Property Board

All contractors working on or at Church facilities must undertake an Online Safety Induction training course and sign the contractor and tradesman handbook before entering UCA facilities or beginning work.

Facilities management and maintenance

Essential services maintenance must be undertaken in order to minimise risk to the property user and meet the Church’s legislative obligations.

For more information or assistance with managing and maintaining facilities, contact Property Services on 03 9116 1956 or at property@victas.uca.org.au

Asset management

Property Services can provide additional asset management services to determine the ongoing use and best practice of UCA assets. Asset management services may include:

reviewing asset and investment strategies
identifying viable development options that are in line with mission requirements
financial assessments/feasibility analysis for alternative options
managing the development delivery process, including sales, planning permits, project design/documentation, funding, construction, liaising with authorities and handover.

Buying property

Our experienced team of property professionals can provide all the help you will need when buying a property, from valuations to acquisition feasibilities, environmental audits and contracts of sale.

For more information, download our Guide to buying a property.

Selling property

Our Property Services team can help guide you through the whole process, including appointing a professional consultant, negotiating consultant rates, marketing campaigns, and advice on the method and negotiation of sale.

For more information, download our Guide to selling a property.

Leasing property

Leasing property as the landlord or tenant can become a complex and costly process if not managed correctly. There are various types of lease agreements, depending on the style, nature and use of the property. The appropriate agreement should be identified before proceeding with any negotiation.

All documents, Heads of Agreements, Licence Agreements and Residential Tenancy Agreements must be in the name of the Property Trust – not in the name of the Church entity.

For more information, download our Guide to leasing a property.

Heritage property

Certain buildings and land owned by the UCA are subject to a heritage overlay, which can include simple changes to a building’s façade through to the subdivision of land. If a property contains a heritage overlay you can view the relevant details on your local council’s website.

In addition to heritage overlays, properties may be listed in the Victorian Heritage Register, which is maintained by the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure.