USB145 Property Transactions


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:USB145
Credit points:12
Anti-requisite:USB246
Coordinator:Andrea Blake | a.blake@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Property Transactions provides the foundation knowledge to understand the fundamentals of property rights and the legal rights and responsibilities for a property professional participating in property transactions. You will develop an understanding of contracts associated with buying, selling and leasing property and how to maintain best practice to avoid exposure to legal liability. In addition you will be introduced to legal structures for the delivery of property development and investment projects.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the impacts of consumer protection law and other property-user based legislation on property transactions.
  2. Professionally communicate the complexity of the issues impacting the marketing and management of properties for sale and lease.
  3. Work as a team to negotiate outcomes in property transactions
  4. Identify the legal issues related to entities capable of holding property interests or participating in the property industry.
  5. Consider the effects of sustainable development, business ethics, codes of practice, cultural and historical influences on property industry activities.

Content

Learning outcomes will be achieved through coverage of the following topics:

  • The stages of the sale/acquisition process for residential, commercial and industrial property transactions and identification of the primary stakeholders at each stage of the transaction
  • The fundamentals of contracts
  • Property contracting options including standard sales and option contracts
  • The due diligence process from the perspective of the various stakeholders
  • The role of the real estate agent in property transactions (sales and leasing) including the influence of common law and statutes such as the Property Occupations Act and the Australian Consumer law
  • Leasing commercial, residential and retail property
  • ESG in property transactions
  • Property marketing theory and application
  • Professional conduct and ethics
  • Negotiation skills 
  • Team behavior and managing group interactions

Learning Approaches

The units engages you through a theory to practice approach whereby legal concepts and theories and applied to practical property transaction related problems and experiences. This unit engages you in individual and peer activities and is delivered in a two hour lecture/one hour tutorial format. Lectures are delivered as blended synchronous activities between online and in person attendance. Separate in person and online tutorials will be offered for students.

 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • Marking rubrics will be provided to show the expectations for each assessment item.
  • Marking rubrics with comments will be returned to you via the online submission portal.
  • Lecture / tutorial sessions are available for group and individual feedback prior to the completion of assessments.
  • Generic comments will be provided via QUT Canvas and in class.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning outcomes and has been designed to provide the opportunity for you to perform real world tasks and develop skills in working with professional teams. The assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

  • receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment);
  • demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study

This assessment item will give you experience in undertaking a stage of the overall transaction process. This will give you experience in applying theoretical concepts to a simulated real world problem that relates to part of the curriculum and then presenting your key findings in a short report. This will give you experience in research and academic writing skills.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment: Simulated Negotiation

You will be given a simulated scenario that relates to a component of the curriculum. You will work in a team to apply your understanding of transaction management principles to negotiate an outcome with another group.

Weight: 20
Length: 40 minutes
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Weeks 9, 10 and 11
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Knowledge Application Exam

This open book written examination will test your knowledge and application of theoretical concepts and legislation to property problems. 

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

There is no prescribed material for this unit. Reading materials will be referred to you throughout the semester via the Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

UD05 Bachelor of Property Economics

  1. Identify theoretical and technical knowledge of economic, legal, social, cultural, global, physical, technological and sustainable contexts required to value, manage and develop property assets and investment portfolios
    Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Case Study, Simulated Negotiation, Knowledge Application Exam
  2. Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills, methods, calculations, property technologies, and sustainability strategies to evaluate the feasibility of property development opportunities, to identify finance options for property investments, and to enhance the performance of assets or investment portfolios
    Relates to: Case Study, Knowledge Application Exam
  3. Think critically and innovatively to solve authentic property problems.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Case Study, Simulated Negotiation, Knowledge Application Exam
  4. Communicate and negotiate with diverse, real-world audiences
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Case Study, Simulated Negotiation
  5. Collaborate strategically in professional contexts with teams and diverse stakeholders and manage stakeholders with consideration for different cultural perspectives and priorities.
    Relates to: ULO3, Simulated Negotiation
  6. Apply ethical judgement and principles of sustainabilty to make positive global, economic, societal and environmental contributions.
    Relates to: ULO5, Case Study, Simulated Negotiation, Knowledge Application Exam