With the recent nationwide move to the COVID-19 Red setting, many buyers and sellers are wondering how this change affects their plans to buy or sell property. The team here at Godfreys Law have put together a helpful summary of how the recent shift to Red affects real estate transactions.
General Guidelines for all Levels
At every level, there are certain protections in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Many of us are already familiar with these, and they apply to open homes and auctions as they do to many other establishments and places of business. These are:
- Displaying QR codes, contact tracing, use of face coverings and physical distancing;
- Following Government hygiene protocols;
- Encouraging all people entering/leaving the property to sanitise their hands, use contactless processes where possible; and
- No one should attend the office or a property or engage in real estate activities if they have cold/flu like symptoms, are self-isolating, are awaiting a COVID-19 test or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Capacity Limits under Red
Open homes and pre-settlement inspections are both classed as “gatherings” under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, meaning there are different capacity limits depending on whether the Vendor decided their open home will follow the “My Vaccine Pass” requirements or not.
If the open home follows the My Vaccine Pass requirements, then there can be up to 100 people based on 1-metre physical distancing in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
Only people with My Vaccine Pass are allowed to be there (including workers), and children under the age of 12 years and 3 months do not need to provide a My Vaccine Pass to enter places with a vaccination requirement.
The limit applies to both indoor and outdoor venues.
If a vendor chooses not to operate with vaccine pass requirements, then there can be up to 25 people based on 1-metre physical distancing in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
They can be a mix of people with and without My Vaccine Pass and the limit applies to both indoor and outdoor venues. The limit includes children, but not staff.
Selling a House Under Red Alert Level
If you are selling your home while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, consider whether you are comfortable with the possibility of unvaccinated people attending open homes. If you are not comfortable with unvaccinated people entering your property, you should consider adhering to My Vaccine Pass requirements. This will also allow you to open your home to more people at one time.
If you would not like to restrict your open home by adhering to My Vaccine Pass requirements, remember that you will only be able to show your home to 25 people at a time. This may mean that you will need to hold more open homes prior to the sale of your property so that all who are interested in purchasing it will be able to attend a viewing.
Buying a House Under Red Alert Level
If you want to purchase a home while COVID-19 restrictions are in place you will need to think about how these restrictions may affect you. Have a discussion with the real estate agent as to whether the open home adheres to My Vaccine Pass guidelines. If you are vaccinated, remember that 25 people – vaccinated or unvaccinated – can attend an open home when the vendor chooses not to enforce My Vaccine Pass requirements. If you are unvaccinated, you will not be able to attend open homes where the vendor adheres to My Vaccine Pass requirements.
Godfreys Law Under Red Alert Level
At Godfreys Law we will be running a split office, with half our team working remotely each week. We will still be offering our full service; however, we may need to schedule meeting with you via Zoom rather than face to face. If you are coming into our office, you will be required to present your vaccine pass and wear a mask the entire meeting. If you are unable to comply with any of these requirements for any reason, please let us know when booking your meeting so we can make alternative arrangements.
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