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How a Stateless Refugee Couple Successfully Purchased Their First Home in NSW

Conveyancer-in-charge: Kay Vitogiannis

A stateless young couple, one of which was born in a refugee camp, and later resettled in Australia on humanitarian grounds has successfully achieved the dream of home ownership in New South Wales following the determined efforts of our dedicated conveyancer Kay who helped navigate complex identity and transfer duty requirements.

The couple are lawful permanent residents but are not yet eligible for Australian citizenship. As stateless persons with limited identity documents, they faced significant difficulties providing the standard identity documents required for conveyancing, property settlement, and NSW Revenue transfer duty assessment purposes.

With settlement deadlines approaching, there were concerns the matter could be delayed or that foreign purchaser surcharge duty may be incorrectly imposed despite the couple’s residency circumstances. This issue serves to highlight the struggles and complexities surrounding stateless refugee identity verification requirements.

Determined to help the couple secure their first home in Australia, Kay worked extensively to prepare detailed statutory declarations, supporting residency evidence, immigration records, and identity documentation for submission to NSW Revenue.

Through proactive communication, legal knowledge, and persistence, Kay successfully obtained the required transfer duty assessment before settlement. As a result, the couple was able to complete their NSW property settlement on time and without any foreign purchaser surcharge duty being imposed.

The outcome is a significant milestone for the couple who can now continue to build a future in Australia.

Kay’s efforts highlights the compassionate and informed advocacy within Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers, particularly for vulnerable clients whose life circumstances may not fit neatly within standard administrative frameworks.

For the couple, the purchase represents far more than a property transaction. Owning a home in NSW marks stability, security, and the beginning of a new chapter in Australia.

CONTACT Kay Vitogiannis

Contact Kay today to chat about your Conveyancing matters.