Queensland’s New Seller Disclosure Laws: What You Need to Know Before Selling Property
If you’re planning to sell land, a home, or a commercial property in Queensland, you’d better buckle up. A major legal facelift is coming, one that will change how vendors share information with buyers and likely raise a few eyebrows along the way.
What’s Changing (from 1 August 2025)?
Queensland’s long-standing “buyer beware” policy is officially history. Under the Property Law Act 2023 (Qld), kicking in 1 August 2025, sellers must provide a Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement plus a stack of prescribed certificates before the buyer signs the contract.
This applies to:
- Residential properties (houses, townhouses, units)
- Commercial properties
- Vacant land
…unless you fall into one of the few exceptions. Think waivers for related parties, purchases over $10 million, government bodies, or transfers between co-owners.
What Sellers Must Disclose and When
Before contract signing, sellers (or authorised agents) must deliver:
1. Form 2 – Seller Disclosure Statement
A signed, standardised statement with prescribed information that must be true at the moment it’s handed over. It covers:
- Seller and property details (address, lot/plan)
- Title details and all encumbrances (registered and unregistered)
- Zoning, planning, heritage listings, transport‑infrastructure notices
- Environmental flags (contamination, registered trees/disputes, heritage)
- Building and construction warnings (pools, owner‑builder works, enforcement notices)
- Rates and water charges, community‑scheme info (if applicable)
2. Prescribed Certificates
These need to be current and may include:
- Title search and survey plan
- Body corporate certificate and community management statement (for strata/property schemes)
- Pool safety certificate or notice of non‑compliance
- Notices under Building, Planning, Environmental Protection Acts
- Any relevant owner‑builder, show‑cause or enforcement notices
Why Sellers (and Agents) Should Jump on This Now
- Transparency is the new norm, no more hiding a shady easement or transport‑next‑door until contract breach.
- Hidden gotchas cost money: failure to comply or worst, slip-ups or missing docs, allows the buyer to terminate at any time before settlement.
- It’s going to cost: obtaining body corporate certificates alone could set sellers back over $200, even though fees are pegged at around $84.
- Time is money: preparing and collating documents takes time. Starting early means you avoid rush‑job mistakes (and spooked buyers).
How NSW & VIC Compare (Quick Snapshot)
- In NSW, sellers traditionally attach a Section 149 certificate with a handful of documents (plans, easements, strata info) to the contract.
- In VIC, a Section 32 statement (vendor statement) covers title details, building permits (last 7 years), insurance, encumbrances, planning, and strata info.
- QLD’s new regime puts Queensland on par with NSW and VIC, mandatory, standardised, and front-loaded disclosure to ensure buyers aren’t blindsided.
Quick Table: QLD Seller Disclosure at a Glance
Requirement | What’s Included |
| Form 2 Disclosure Statement | Seller info, title/encumbrances, zoning, environmental, building, heritage, rates, etc. |
| Prescribed Certificates | Title search, body corporate docs, pool compliance, official notices from relevant acts ABC… |
| Timing | Must be given before buyer signs contract |
| Buyer’s Remedy | Buyer may terminate up to settlement if disclosure is missing or materially wrong |
What This Means for You and Why Jaide Law Can Help
If you’re selling property in Queensland or even just considering it, this is your cue to get serious. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or first-time seller, these changes demand:
- Early engagement with a solicitor (not just a fast‑talking agent with a stapler).
- A clear pre‑sale checklist: all certificates, completed Form 2, proof of delivery.
- Ongoing diligence: if something changes after disclosure but before settlement (say, a new enforcement notice), it must be immediately updated
At Jaide Law, we pride ourselves on being the property law firm that balances legal rigor with real-world clarity. We’re that warm-hearted, sharp-minded property lawyer NSW-trained, QLD-savvy, and equally fluent in VIC law, ready to guide you through this new era of vendor disclosure with confidence and grace.
Get Ahead of the Game
Want to make selling your property a breeze, not a headache? Whether you’re in QLD, NSW, or VIC, we’re the best property law firm to navigate these changes, protect your interests, and avoid costly slip-ups.
Contact Jaide Law today, let’s get your disclosure ducks lined up, your contract airtight, and your sale stress-free.
Disclaimer : We know most of you get this, but just to be clear, the information above is general and doesn’t consider your unique situation. Please don’t rely on it as a substitute for professional advice. We strongly encourage you to seek appropriate guidance for your specific needs.
Contact Us
If you need help with a property law matter,
please reach out to us at contact@jaidelaw.com.au or call us at (02) 9061 7090.