REALWorld Law

Real estate finance

Environmental liability

Can a lender holding or enforcing security over real estate in his country be liable under environmental laws, even if it did not cause any pollution of the real estate?

Australia

Australia

In most jurisdictions in Australia, environmental laws can be enforced against an owner or occupier of land irrespective of who caused the problem. Environmental laws will therefore apply to lenders where they are in occupation of the land (for example, where a mortgagee is in possession of the security property following a borrower's default).