State By State Restrictions on Real Estate
State By State Restrictions on Real Estate
As Australia adapts to the Covid-normal, live auctions and property inspections are back underway across the country with vaccination rates on the increase. However, some restrictions remain as the Omicron case number rises.
Here’s a state-by-state look at what each government is currently permitting and what it means for real estate in your region.
- Queensland
From 17 December, new restrictions came into effect in Queensland for people who are not fully vaccinated.
The Unvaccinated residents will
- No longer be able to visit vulnerable settings, such as hospitals and aged care facilities, or attend hospitality and entertainment venues.
- Entertainment venues will no longer have density limits, with only fully vaccinated people permitted.
- Wear their masks for all indoor settings, except in your own home or where it is unsafe, such as while doing strenuous exercise.
Home inspections and live auctions are allowed to take place in Queensland under the following guidelines:
Home Inspection
- Open homes are permitted and people do not need to be fully vaccinated to enter.
- A density limit of one person per two square metres applies to indoor areas.
- Agents must collect contact information and follow the government’s COVID-19 safe checklist.
- Masks must be worn indoors.
Auctions:
- Auctions are permitted and people do not need to be fully vaccinated to attend.
- A density limit of one person per two square metres applies to indoor areas.
- Agents must collect contact information and follow the government’s COVID-19 safe checklist.
- Masks must be worn indoors.
- Western Australia
Western Australia remains in a State of Emergency. There are, however, no capacity restrictions on open homes and inspections, provided they follow COVID-safe measures.
Home inspections and auctions are allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
- Real estate agents are encouraged to maintain a 1.5 metres separation between people who are not from the same household or groups of other patrons.
- Masks are not mandatory indoors but encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
- Real estate agents are required to maintain a mandatory contact register for staff and visitors to assist with Western Australia Department of Health contact tracing, should it be required.
- Real estate agents are expected to ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented (social distancing, hand sanitiser and record keeping etc).
- New South Wales
Restrictions have eased successfully in New South Wales with most premises open to everyone, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not, however moderate restrictions remain.
Here’s what it means for real estate across the state:
- There are no longer any density limits for how many people can attend an auction or inspect a home for sale or lease.
- There are no vaccination requirements for agents or buyers attending open homes, however, some agents and owners may choose to require people to be fully vaccinated as a condition of entry.
- Masks are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged where you cannot socially distance.
- People no longer need to check in when inspecting a home.
- Victoria
Here is what is new as regards covid restrictions across victoria:
- There is a density limit of one person per two square metres that have been reintroduced indoors at hospitality and entertainment venues.
- Face masks are required indoors, except at home, for everyone aged 8 and over, unless exempt.
Here’s what it means for real estate activity across Victoria.
- There are no vaccination requirements for people attending real estate inspections, however, real estate agents must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt).
- There are no density limits for open homes.
- Face masks are mandatory indoors.
- When outdoor, a face mask must be carried at all times.
- Northern Territory
Home inspections and in-person auctions are allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
- In-person inspections and auctions are permitted.
- All people must check-in using the Territory Check-In App, no matter how long they spend at the venue.
- Real estate agents must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and provide hand sanitiser.
- People are encouraged to follow hygiene standards and physical distancing rules by keeping 1.5 metres from people they don’t live with.
- Tasmania
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
- Up to 250 people are allowed to attend an open inspection per undivided indoor space.
- Up to 1,000 people per undivided outdoor area, including staff and children.
- The total number of people at a premise cannot exceed one person per two square metres.
- All attendee names and contact details must be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
- Real estate businesses must implement measures to meet the minimum COVID-19 safety standards and record this in a COVID-19 Safety plan.
- South Australia
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
- The maximum number of attendees at an open inspection will be determined by the size of the home.
- The density requirement of one person per two square metres applies for open inspections, excluding staff.
- Real estate businesses conducting open inspections must have a COVID-Safe Plan.
- Any operation with a COVID-Safe Plan must use an approved contact tracing system. Those who have a COVID-Safe Plan will be issued with a QR code, which will be attached to the approved plan and must be displayed on the premises.
- Strict hygiene standards (social distancing, hand sanitiser etc) must be maintained.
- Masks are not mandatory but highly recommended.
REFERENCES
- What each state’s restriction status means for real estate
By Sarah Dowling
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/what-each-states-restriction-status-means-for-real-estate/
- What Each State’s Restriction Status Means for Real Estate
By Gur Times
- What each state’s restriction status means for real estate
By Lynn Ding
- Inspections during COVID: What each state’s restriction status means
By Rent.com.au
- What each state’s restriction status means for real estate
By REFN