REIV insists Victoria's lockdown-related ban on inspections is unnecessary and "crippling" to the property sector
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria is pushing for the return of private, one-on-one property inspections as part of any changes to lockdown measures potentially announced this week.
REIV said that banning property inspections impedes any changes people need to make to their living arrangements. Leah Calnan, REIV president, said the property sector has repeatedly called on the Victorian government to remove what she called an unnecessary restriction and allow one-on-one private inspections.
“These are very significant, long-term financial decisions being made by people, and we must ensure that they have the ability to make informed decisions,” she said. “It’s indisputable that inspecting homes is a fundamental part of property transaction due diligence. Without it, buyers and renters are flying blind – it’s just unrealistic to expect people to buy or lease a property without seeing it. It’s also important to remember that the decisions people make about housing have a major impact on their physical, mental and financial health and wellbeing, which are all very real concerns Victorians are coping with following 200-plus days of lockdown.”
REIV said that one-on-one inspections could be conducted safely by taking precautions including:
- Inspection by prior appointment only
- Maximum of two adults and one real estate agent/representative
- Declaration that attendees have not visited a Tier One or Tier Two exposure site in the previous 14 days
- Prior approval from any occupants
- 15-minute appointment blocks, with time allowed on either side of the appointment for cleaning
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Gil King, CEO of REIV, said the property sector has had effective procedures in place for inspections by appointment since 2020.
“Private, one-on-one inspections are both essential for buying and renting and are free from any significant risk,” King said. “Lockdown restrictions that ban property inspection by private appointment have a crippling effect on the property sector, impacting renters, aspiring homeowners and mum-and-dad investors. Common sense must prevail. Housing is critical for health and safety – there can be no doubt about this.”
Current COVID-safe measures for property inspection include:
- Mask requirements, unless an exemption applies
- Disinfection and cleaning before and after inspection
- No touching of surfaces during the inspection
- QR code and paper record-keeping for contact tracers
