REIQ Coronavirus Fast Facts

Understandably, the COVID-19 crisis is creating extreme uncertainty for REIQ members and the wider real estate profession, affecting how business should be done and unsettling individual staff. The REIQ remains focused on the health and safety of its members, staff and local communities across Queensland and is monitoring and responding to the situation as it evolves daily.

South-East Queensland restrictions Eased

From 4pm Friday 27 August 2021, restrictions have eased in South-East Queensland (Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Redland, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim local government areas) in line with the rest of Queensland, except for mask wearing (see below).

Key points: 

The REIQ recommends that real estate professionals should consider limiting numbers into properties in line with the rules covering private residents, who are allowed 100 people into their homes including the people already living there. The official rule is one person per 2sqm indoors.

In South-East Queensland, masks should be worn during open homes and auctions. Additionally, masks must be worn in workplaces at all times unless it is unsafe or you can stay 1.5m apart from other people.

The COVID Safe Checklist and QR Code must be on display at the open home or auction. 

Routine inspections may proceed as normal.

Workplaces should be displaying and complying with the COVID Safe Checklist and signing in guests with the QR Code.

Practice safe hygiene protocols. 

The REIQ is experiencing a high volume of calls. Please visit the Queensland Government’s website for further information before contacting us.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The ‘Check In QLD’ app is now mandatory for the real estate industry. Additionally, the previous COVID-Safe Industry Plan for Queensland Real Estate has been revoked. and is instead replaced by the COVID-Safe Industry Checklist. From 1am 9 July, agencies will have to have the app and QR code, as well as a signed copy of the check list on display at auctions and open home inspections. For more information, please read our latest article here.

Queensland Health advises that you remind potential buyers, tenants and staff not to attend open homes, inspections or your office if they are feeling unwell. Agents are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the current Queensland Government’s Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction as these requirements are subject to change at any time.

For more information on the current status of COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, please visit the Queensland Health website.

FAST FACTS: PROMOTING HYGIENE

Personal hygiene is an important protection against COVID-19 and all respiratory illnesses – this includes washing hands regularly. REIQ members may wish to consider including the promotion of hygiene protocols as part of their sales and marketing collateral for all upcoming meetings and private inspections. It is critical to communicate openly with both clients and customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your agency or a private inspection hosted by you. Promotions may also help incentivise clients and customers who may be reluctant to reconsider attending. In addition, you may wish to consider placing posters in your office for your staff as hygiene reminders in the workplace.

It is best practice to offer all attendees of an open home, routine inspections or visitors to your office hand sanitiser.

For further support and advice relating to your individual circumstances, REIQ members can contact our Property Management Support Service or our Agency Advice Service via phone on 1300 697 347. Not a member? Join online here. 

The REIQ recommends members to only consider the advice provided by government agencies and official health experts when considering and implementing any COVID-related workplace health and safety policies. In this toolkit, we will share best practice hygiene tips and answer frequently asked questions about COVID-19. The information in this guide is of a general nature only and is not a substitute for advice provided by a government agency or from a qualified medical professional and/or legal practitioner. Any references to third party products and services do not represent an endorsement of any kind from the REIQ and we recommend that you conduct your own inquiries to confirm their suitability to you and your compliance requirements. The information contained in this guide is based on advice from health authorities relevant at the time of writing and we recommend that agencies continue to monitor advice from Government on a regular basis given the fast evolving nature of this issue.