Know your property rights!
Shake up for market
New seller disclosure laws means getting the right advice has never been more important
FROM August 1, 2025, sweeping changes to Queensland’s property sale process came into eff
With mandatory seller disclosure now required under the Property Law Act 2023, buyers and sellers alike are experiencing some of the most signifi reforms in decades.
What’s changing?
The centrepiece of the reform is a new mandatory seller disclosure regime, requiring vendors to provide a completed Form 2 disclosure statement—plus supporting certifi before any contract is
A step towards greater transparency
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has welcomed the reform, calling it a “landmark change”. CEO Antonia Mercorella says the legislation is a long-awaited step forward.
“The seller’s disclosure regime modernises the way property is bought and sold,” she said.
“It ensures buyers are presented with key information upfront, helping them make informed decisions and reducing the risk of deals falling over post-contract.”
However, Ms Mercorella also warned that the disclosure regime doesn’t replace the need for buyer due diligence.
“The ‘buyer beware’ principle still applies. Buyers must continue conducting independent
How the industry is responding Across the state, agents and solicitors are adjusting processes to accommodate the new requirements.
Bailey Sims from Pine Property says preparation
is now more frontloaded.
“We’ve built the disclosure process into our pre-listing checklist,” he said.
“It’s added work upfront, but it ultimately leads to smoother settlements and better-informed buyers.”
Tamara Hazelden from Hazelden Realty, agrees.
“The big shift is needing everything in order before going to market,” she said.
“Yes, it’s more demanding, but it reduces fallout and confusion later.”
In Maleny, REMAX Hinterland is embracing the changes, seeing them as a boost to industry credibility.
“It’s an opportunity to raise the bar for professionalism. With key information provided upfront, we’re seeing more serious buyers and fewer nasty surprises midcontract,” a spokesperson said.
Who benefits most?
Buyers are the clear winners, gaining access to vital property information from the outset. But sellers also benefit—by demonstrating transparency, they’re more likely to attract serious offers and reduce the risk of post-contract disputes. That said, there are some concerns about
the increased burden on vendors. Gathering the necessary documents can be time-consuming and costly, particularly in regional areas with limited access to digital property records.
Challenges and concerns
While the REIQ supports the new laws, it has flagged the lack of state-wide infrastructure as a key concern.
which must be disclosed.
While this doesn’t prevent a sale, it may affect buyer interest or pricing. The road ahead
“Queensland still lacks a comprehensive, userfriendly search tool for disclosure documents,” said Ms Mercorella.
“This places a disproportionate burden on sellers—especially outside metropolitan areas.”
Additional pressure may arise for sellers with unapproved renovations,
The seller’s disclosure regime modernises the way property is bought and sold
Despite the challenges, industry sentiment is broadly positive. Many agents believe the new system will enhance transparency and build long-term trust in the Queensland property market.
The REIQ is urging sellers, buyers, and agents to start early, seek legal advice, and familiarise themselves with the new requirements.
Read all about how our local real estate agents and solicitors are adapting to the changes in this seven page feature.
New property law in Queensland Mandatory seller disclosures now in
By Spire Law
AS of 1 August 2025, Queensland’s property market operates under the Property Law Act 2023 (Qld), introducing a mandatory seller disclosure regime. This modernised legislation replaces outdated laws and aligns Queensland with other Australian states, ensuring greater transparency in property transactions.
Sellers are now required to provide a comprehensive Seller Disclosure Statement before buyers enter into a contract. This statement must include essential details such as encumbrances, zoning classifications, tenancy agreements, recent rates and water assessments, and, for community title schemes, body corporate certificates and community management statements.
Additionally, title searches, registered plans, and any prescribed disclosure items must be disclosed.
Failure to comply with these requirements can
have serious consequences.
Buyers are entitled to terminate contracts at any time before settlement if disclosures are inaccurate or incomplete. Limited exceptions apply, such as transactions between related parties, government purchases, boundary realignments, and sales exceeding $10 million. The Act also brings
changes to standard REIQ contracts, including automatic settlement extensions in specific circumstances, adjustments for land tax, and updated GST clauses. requirements.
Buyers and sellers are encouraged to seek professional advice to navigate these changes effectively.
With offices in Beerwah, Caloundra, Cooroy, Maroochydore and Noosa, Spire Law is conveniently located to assist you with all your legal needs. For further assistance, visit spirelaw. com.au or call 07 5440 4800.
Taking it all in our stride
By Paul Blackledge Nest Estate Agents
IT’S business as usual for the team at Nest Estate agents as we adapt to the new disclosure laws.
We’ve hit the ground running doing 13 appraisals in the last two weeks.
We are supporting sellers to prepare their properties for market.
The new requirements aren’t too onerous and we are here to support the process.
It gives buyers more confidence to get all the information upfront and reduces the need for due diligence clauses.
Overall, the property market around the Hinterland is surging with lots of activity fueled by dropping interest rates and strong interest in this region.
If you’re looking to buy or sell, give me a call on 0406 837 587.
For 90 years, Henzells has been part of the Sunshine Coast story. Through every change in the market and every new law, our team is here to guide you with expert knowledge and genuine care.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting, you can count on real people, real service, and real results.
Image: REIQ
Danielle Young Property is leading the way forward
VENDORS in the Mooloolah Valley and Palmview regions can breathe easy thanks to Danielle Young Property, a forward-thinking agency that has embraced Queensland’s new seller disclosure laws with confidence and professionalism. The legislation, which came into effect in August, introduces new requirements for property sellers. Many agencies have scrambled to keep pace—but not Danielle Young Property. Led by Danielle and her
dedicated team of local experts, the agency has long been preparing for these changes, offering vendors a seamless and compliant selling experience. At the heart of their service is a dedicated contracts manager who ensures all disclosure documentation is accurate and delivered on time. With same-day turnaround on contract preparation, the agency is committed to providing a smooth, quick, and stressfree process.
Danielle Young Property is more than just a real estate agency—it’s a proactive partner for property sellers. Their deep local knowledge of Mooloolah Valley and Palmview gives them a competitive edge, reassuring clients that they are in the best hands. For vendors seeking peace of mind under the new disclosure regime, Danielle Young Property is ready to lead the way. To find out more, contact Danielle and her team today.
Clearer sales and less risk
Contributed by Jason Cleary – Elders Real Estate Living
THE new seller disclosure requirements may feel like extra red tape, but in reality, they will quickly become part of the normal property transaction process, one that brings Queensland into line with the more structured regimes of the southern states.
Rather than something to worry about, these changes represent a positive step towards greater transparency,
helping both buyers and sellers move forward with more confidence. They also highlight the importance of having experienced property professionals on your team to guide you through the process.
At Elders Real Estate Living, we are not preparing the new Form 2 disclosure documents on behalf of our vendors. Instead, we advise and support our clients in engaging suitably qualified legal professionals who can assist with this requirement, while we ensure the process runs smoothly as they
prepare their property for sale.
Our advice to vendors:
• Rely on experience: Quality advice now can save time, expense and stress later.
• Start early: Once your agent appointment agreement is signed, begin preparing the Form 2 vendor disclosure documents with your lawyer straight away.
• Be prepared: You never know when an offer may come through, so having documents ready avoids delays.
• Allow extra time: Larger or more complex properties (such as rural holdings or multi-titled sites) may take additional time to prepare.
Our advice to buyers:
• Read carefully: Review the disclosure documents thoroughly and seek clarification on anything you don’t understand.
• Do your due diligence: Use the information as part of your decisionmaking process to ensure you’re confident in your purchase.
• Remember buyer beware
Market thriving under new rules
By Alex Garden Principal of Ray White Beerwah, Landsborough, and Mooloolah Valley
THE new seller disclosure laws are a step in the right direction for transparency and are designed to give buyers more peace of mind. For sellers, it simply means getting your ducks in a row
a little earlier. While it does create more upfront work for solicitors and agents, it saves headaches later for both buyers and sellers. As for price or time on market, we aren’t seeing a negative impact.
If anything, well-informed buyers are more confident to move quickly and are putting forward strong offers. The biggest changes are around timing. For example, if sellers have done renovations or added a shed without full approvals, those things are now flagged more often. From the time you hire
an agent to having your property go live online is usually just 2–3 days, which is the ideal timeframe to have your disclosure complete by.
With the turnaround time for seller disclosure currently being up to a week or more with solicitors (potentially holding you back from a contract),
Ray White has made it a key focus to partner with the best of the best in the industry which allows us to turn around a disclosure in just 24-48 hours with 24/7 legal support and checks, and no liability for the sellers.
All in all, it’s not a scary process, and with the right supporting agent, it’s straightforward - just a couple of i’s to dot and t’s to cross. At Ray White, we’re
0407 123 495
danielle@danielleyoung.com.au www.danielleyoung.com.au
here to make it smooth! On the ground, the market itself is extremely strong. Our open homes have been buzzing, with some attracting record numbers.
Just last weekend we had 31 groups (over 90 people) through a single property. That level of activity shows how much buyer demand is still driving competition and confidence in the local market.
Elders Real Estate Living Principal Jason Cleary.
Amanda, Bree, Danielle, Ashley, Jo and Dee.
What We Do.
At Spire, we deliver commercially relevant and solution-focused advice to individuals and businesses, across a broad array of needs and industries. Our team works with our clients and their advisers to add value, grow opportunities, achieve objectives and create new beginnings.
Who We Are.
With 5 offices across the Sunshine Coast we are your local law firm. Our lawyers include family law and business law specialists accredited by the Qld Law Society, and collectively we have more than 200 years of experience. Trusted and long-term relationships with our clients are important to us. By partnering with our clients to understand their values and needs, we are able to provide advice that aligns with objectives and delivers results.
Henzells brings 90 years of experience and adaptation
By Katherine Allan Henzells
AFTER 90 years in business, Henzells has seen more than a few changes in the real estate world.
From handwritten ledgers to online portals, and now the introduction of new seller disclosure laws. The one constant has been our ability to learn, adapt and guide our clients through each step.
The new legislation means sellers will need to provide a broader range of information about their
property prior to a buyer entering into a contract. This includes details that help buyers make more informed decisions, creating greater transparency across the industry. As the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has highlighted, clear disclosure not only protects consumers but also strengthens confidence in the market.
At Henzells our team is constantly across new legislation and committed to ongoing training so that we can provide the right advice. We know that when
New property laws boost trust
Seller disclosure rules create buyer confidence
By Glasshouse Property Sales
IT’S now been a month since Queensland’s new seller disclosure laws came into effect, and we’re already seeing changes in the way property is bought and sold. It was often recommended by buyers’ solicitors to include a due diligence clause, giving buyers broad power to pull out of a sale for almost any reason. We’ve already
buyers and sellers have confidence in the process, everyone benefits. Fewer surprises after settlement, fewer disputes, and stronger trust all round.
Real estate has always been about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about people, families and communities. By embracing change and putting transparency fi we can ensure our industry continues to grow stronger. After nine decades, that commitment remains at the heart of everything we do at Henzells.
witnessed a significant decline in this practice, as buyer confidence increases with sellers providing key information upfront. This includes:
• A signed disclosure statement (Form 2), and
• A set of prescribed certificates.
If these documents are missing, incomplete, or inaccurate, the buyer can terminate the contract at any time before settlement and receive a full refund of deposit (plus interest).
It’s important to note that these disclosure requirements aren’t entirely new. Many were already contained in previous versions of the standard contract, they’ve simply been brought to the forefront, creating transparency and certainty for both sides of the transaction.
At Glasshouse Property Sales, we’re proud to be an REIQ Accredited Agency. The REIQ was heavily involved in shaping these laws and continues to guide its’ members on best practice. Our team is fully trained on the new requirements, ensuring our sellers are protected, well-prepared, and can avoid unnecessary costs or delays.
With the right preparation, these changes don’t add complexity, they create confidence.
Considering a sale? Call us at (07) 5438 7722 or visit us at Shop 2, 7 Reed Street, Glass House Mountains and have a trusted professional by your side from start to nish.
Reece Osborne from Glasshouse Property Sales.
