IMPORTANT ANOUNCEMENT: New Property Disclosure Law in Queensland Comes into Effect on 1st August 2025!!
Queensland’s property laws are in for a shake-up. In October last year, Queensland Parliament passed the Property Law Act 2023 (the Property Law Act). This updated legislation is the result of a review conducted by the Queensland University of Technology and commissioned by the state government and is designed to streamline and modernise our property law.
These new seller’s property disclosure regulations will have a significant impact on real estate agents across Queensland. And if you’re a real estate agent, one of the most important parts of the reform is the introduction of seller’s property disclosure to Queensland.
This new legislation comes into effect on 1st August 2025, so it is important to prepare!
To assist your preparation, we’ve pulled together the key info that real estate agents (and homeowners!) need to be aware of.
What is seller’s disclosure?
So, what is seller’s disclosure? In a nutshell, it is an obligation for the seller to divulge information to a prospective buyer. This relates to documents and details that could impact the buyer’s decision to make the purchase.
What are the new seller’s property disclosure laws?
The new Property Law Act covers a wide range of issues, including some changes to how leases can be assigned, trust regulation and even mortgages. But for real estate agents, the most important changes introduced are the new mandatory seller disclosure requirements.
This seller disclosure is set up in two parts. The first is that the seller must provide a signed disclosure statement to the potential buyer. The second is the requirement to provide certain documents along with the disclosure statement.
This is a significant change. Under the current property law system in Queensland, the responsibility is on the buyer to conduct their own due diligence. But now the new Property Law Act requires the seller to be primarily responsible for disclosing information to the new buyer.
What is seller’s disclosure in real estate?
When defining what is seller’s disclosure in real estate, the information relates to providing information around the condition of the property. This could include pest infestations, structural damage, outstanding rates and proposed developments nearby, for example.
Why do we need seller’s property disclosure laws?
Our own inndox CEO and co-founder Patricia Mackie-Smith was instrumental in petitioning for seller’s property disclosure in Queensland. She says the changes will create better results for property buyers across the state.
‘The adoption of a fair and comprehensive seller disclosure system will ensure more informed decision-making for homebuyers, cost savings, a level playing field, smoother sales processes, improved industry professionalism, and safer homes for the public,’ Patricia says.
These new laws will increase transparency in the homebuying process and help to protect those wishing to buy a home by helping them make safer and better-informed decision. It will also ensure that there is as much transparency as possible in the buying and selling process. In the long run, the amendments should also help to boost trust in the Queensland real estate industry as well.
What will the seller’s property disclosure laws require?
As we mentioned above, the seller will need to provide a signed disclosure statement and prescribed documents (called ‘certificates’ in the Property Law Act) before the buyer signs the contract. We are still waiting to hear exactly what the disclosure statement will contain, but we expect it might include:
Encumbrances, e.g., easements or covenants
Building work conducted, including work by unlicensed tradespeople, building regulation breaches, approved permits, etc.
Pest issues
Structural issues
Hazard risks, e.g., presence of asbestos or soil contamination
Environmental risks, e.g., flooding
Plans for any nearby developments or transport infrastructure
Outstanding rates, water charges, etc.
What does this mean for real estate agents?
Real estate agents will play a crucial role in helping this new legislation succeed in the real world. Your clients will likely need your guidance to ensure they comply with seller’s property disclosure laws. You may also be able to help prepare and share the disclosure documents on behalf of your client as part of your overall service.
As of 1st August 2025, your compliance will be critical. If the disclosure statement contains inaccurate information or is missing an important detail, the buyer may be able to terminate the contract before settlement. Of course, this is not a positive outcome for seller, agent or prospective buyer.
How can inndox help?
When it comes to managing disclosure documentation, inndox helps to streamline and simplify the process.
inndox is a digital logbook where you can share all relevant documents and records, such as building approvals, certificates, maintenance history and inspection reports with potential buyers to help meet the new seller disclosure requirements and then easily transfer the helpful app to the new owner at Settlement. Automated reminders can also be set up to help agents and homeowners stay in touch long after the sale extending the agents brand and reputation for future listings.
inndox can help you reduce the risk of non-compliance and make giving excellent service to your own clients easier than ever. In fact, it takes the friction out of the disclosure process, making it smoother and simpler for the seller, real estate agent and buyer. A win all around!