We are a private company holding our own property interests. We do not offer investments, seek investors, pool money from the public or operate any property scheme.
Property holding · Canberra
In the ACT, nobody owns the land. They lease it.
Landco Holdings Pty Limited is a private property holding company based in Kingston, in Canberra's inner south. We hold and manage our own property interests and deal directly with purchasers, tenants, consultants and the relevant authorities.
Anyone dealing in property here eventually meets the fact that surprises most people who arrive from elsewhere in Australia: land in the Australian Capital Territory is held under Crown leases rather than freehold title. The lease says what the land may be used for, and changing that has a process — and often a cost. This page explains it in plain terms.
ACT parcels are identified by block and section within a district. The plan is illustrative and depicts no real land.
Block 1 · BasicsTenure
The system in three terms
What a Canberra property title actually is
In the ACT the Territory grants Crown leases, typically for long terms, and those leases are bought, sold and mortgaged much as freehold is elsewhere. In everyday life the difference is invisible. It becomes visible the moment someone wants to use the land differently.
Crown leaseThe legal interest you hold. It is registered, transferable and mortgageable, and it runs for a stated term.
Purpose clauseThe part of the lease that sets out what the land may be used for. It is the clause that matters when plans change.
Lease variationThe process for changing what the lease permits. Where a variation adds development value, a charge may be payable.
Block 2 · ComparisonElsewhere vs ACT
If you are arriving from another state
Familiar in most ways, different in a few
A general comparison. The detail in any individual case depends on the lease itself and the rules in force.
MatterTypically elsewhereIn the ACT
What you hold
Freehold title, for most residential land.
A Crown lease for a term of years.
Permitted use
Mainly controlled by planning rules.
Controlled by planning rules and the lease's purpose clause.
Changing the use
A planning approval.
Potentially a lease variation as well, with its own process.
Cost of change
Fees and contributions vary by council.
A lease variation charge may apply where the change adds value.
Block 3 · Due diligenceBefore signing
Before buying or leasing in the ACT
Five things to read yourself
1
The Crown lease, not the listingRead what the lease actually permits. A listing describes what the seller hopes you will do; the lease describes what you may do.
2
The purpose clause, against your plansIf you intend a different use — a home office that grows, a dual occupancy, a change from commercial to residential — check whether the lease permits it now.
3
Whether a variation would be neededAnd if so, what the process involves and whether a charge could apply. Get advice before you commit, not after.
4
The planning rules for the siteZoning and planning controls sit alongside the lease. Both have to permit what you intend.
5
Independent legal adviceA conveyancer or solicitor familiar with ACT leasehold should review the lease and contract. It is not a place for general assumptions from another state.
Block 4 · What we are notPlainly
Holdings means our own holdings
A holding company is not an investment offer
"Holdings" in a company name means a company that holds assets — its own. It does not mean an opportunity to invest, and in Australia offers of interests in property schemes to the public are regulated in their own right.
We do not take investorsNo units, shares, notes or syndicate interests are offered to anyone.
We do not pool moneyWe operate no fund, trust or scheme that accepts money from the public.
We promise no returnsAnyone quoting a return in our name is not speaking for us.
We do not give investment adviceNothing on this site is financial product advice or a recommendation.
If you are offered a property investment by anyone, check the offeror on ASIC's professional registers and read any disclosure document before committing money.
Block 5 · QuestionsCommon
Questions
Asked regularly
i.Does leasehold mean I do not really own my home?
You hold a registered, transferable interest that you can sell, mortgage and pass on, for the term of the lease. In daily life it works much like ownership. The practical difference shows mainly when you want to change what the land is used for.
ii.What happens when a lease term ends?
Residential leases are generally able to be renewed, but the position depends on the lease and the rules in force at the time. Take advice on the specific lease rather than relying on a general statement.
iii.Can I invest with Landco Holdings?
No. We are a private company holding our own property interests. We do not offer investments of any kind, and anyone suggesting otherwise in our name should be reported.
iv.Do you sell or lease property?
From time to time, in connection with our own holdings. Any sale or lease is documented by written contract, and we encourage every counterparty to take independent advice.
v.How do we contact you?
Through the details below. For anything involving a specific property, include the block and section — it is how land is identified in the ACT.
Block 6 · ContactDirect
Contact
Speak to us directly
These are the only channels this company uses.
Registered addressUnit 10, 110 Giles Street Kingston ACT 2604