Acquisition by agreement
A support team will help you through the acquisition by agreement process, where you and the acquiring authority negotiate compensation for your property.
Negotiating valuation and compensation
Acquisition by agreement is where you and the acquiring authority negotiate compensation for your property.
A support team will be available to answer any questions and guide you through the process.
You are entitled to a minimum negotiation period of 6 months, except under specific circumstances. You will be notified by the acquiring authority if this applies. You may also reach an agreement sooner than the minimum negotiating period of 6 months.
Key stages
Find out what to expect at each step of the acquisition by agreement process.
The project is announced
Community information sessions and public announcements will inform you about the project plans.
What you can do
- Check websites, your mailbox, local newspapers, and local signage for project information.
- Attend community information sessions.
The acquiring authority contacts you
If you are directly impacted and your property is to be acquired, you will be provided with a Personal Manager who will guide you through the acquisition process.
Your Personal Manager will try to meet with you face to face to:
- confirm that your property needs to be acquired
- introduce the acquisition support team
- explain the process.
If your Personal Manager has been unable to reach you face to face, they will send you an email or letter.
What you can do
- Be available to meet with your Personal Manager.
- Make a list of questions you would like to discuss.
You meet to discuss the process
Your acquisition support team will arrange to meet with you to discuss the next steps.
They will provide more information about the acquisition process and answer any questions you may have.
What you can do
- Talk to your Personal Manager about the acquisition process and ask them questions.
- Talk to your Acquisition Manager about how to find an independent valuer and lawyer.
You will receive a Commencement Letter
The Commencement Letter – also known as an Opening Letter – will:
- Explain the property acquisition process, along with your rights and obligations.
- Explain that the acquiring authority will seek to acquire the property by agreement, normally with a minimum 6-month negotiation period.
- Explain that the acquiring authority will arrange a valuation of the property by a qualified valuer.
- Encourage you to also get your own property valuation carried out by a valuer and to seek legal advice. You will be compensated for legal costs and valuation fees reasonably incurred in connection with the compulsory acquisition of the property
What you can do
- Note any key dates or questions you have.
- Discuss next steps with your acquisition support team.
Valuation reports are carried out
A valuer will inspect your property on behalf of the acquiring authority to determine your entitlement to compensation.
Your own valuer should also carry out a valuation and prepare a valuation report.
The valuation report outlines the types of compensation you may be eligible for and how the amount of compensation was calculated.
Once you have your own valuation report, your Acquisition Manager can organise an exchange of reports between the valuers.
Find valuation and compensation information for:
What you can do
- Seek and engage independent valuation and legal services.
- Arrange an independent valuation of your property.
You receive an offer
Once the acquiring authority’s valuation has been completed, they will provide you with a Letter of Offer.
This offer will be based on information from the acquiring authority’s valuation report and your discussions.
It will set out the authority’s offer of compensation for the market value of your property and other compensation you may be eligible for.
What you can do
- Submit your own valuation to the acquiring authority.
- Seek independent legal advice on the details of the offer if you feel it necessary.
Working to reach an agreement
By this stage, the valuers will have exchanged valuation reports.
Your Acquisition Manager will arrange for both valuers – and any other experts who have been engaged to help work out the compensation – to meet and try to reach agreement.
This may involve one or more meetings where each valuer will present the evidence their valuation is based on. You are welcome to attend these meetings.
Note: The actions listed in stages 6 and 7 may occur in a different order, depending on the circumstances.
What you can do
- Ensure you are available for meetings.
- Seek legal advice before you formally accept the offer, if you want to.
Agreement reached and relocation
Once an agreement on compensation is reached, the Acquisition Manager will arrange for legal documents to be prepared and sent to you or your lawyer.
Legal documents will be prepared and a date for completion of the acquisition agreed on.
You will be paid the agreed compensation and the property will be transferred to the acquiring authority.
If you need to relocate, your Personal Manager will be available to help.
The acquiring authority will invite you to complete a survey and give feedback on the acquisition process.
If you cannot reach an agreement
If you and the acquiring authority cannot reach an agreement after the stages detailed above, the acquiring authority may compulsorily acquire your property. Find out what to expect at each step of the compulsory acquisition process.
Download a guide
Our property acquisition guides take you through the acquisition process step by step.
The guides are available in English, Arabic (العربية), Cantonese (廣東話), Mandarin (國語), Greek (Ελληνικά), Hindi (हिन्दी), Italian (Italiano), Korean (한국어), and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt Nam).
Help and support
Your acquisition support team is there to help you with any questions about the acquisition process you are involved in. Contact your Personal Manager or legal representative with any specific questions about your situation.
For general information about property acquisition in NSW:
- email the Centre for Property Acquisition
- call 1300 029 146
- use the online enquiry form.
Property Acquisition Support Line
The Property Acquisition Support Line provides free and confidential counselling, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support your mental health and wellbeing. Call the Property Acquisition Support Line on 1300 089 551.
Find out more about the Property Acquisition Support Line service.