Who Needs A Queensland Sustainability Declaration (QSD)?

A sustainability declaration is a compulsory checklist that must be completed by the seller (vendor/ homeowner) when selling a house, townhouse (class 1a building) or unit (class 2 building) from 1 January 2010.

However, if a seller is unable to complete the form, they can seek help from another person or engage the services of a specialised company such as QSD to complete the SD on their behalf. However, the seller must sign the declaration.

Do advertisements need to refer to the sustainability declaration?

Yes. Under the new legislation, from 1 January 2010 real estate agents and private sellers cannot publish an advertisement for the sale of the property unless the advertisement includes information about where a copy of the sustainability declaration can be obtained. This requirement applies to online listings, real estate agency window pane advertisements and all other forms of advertising.  It excludes advertisements published in newspapers and magazines or signs that are not designed to specifically advertise the sale of a particular property (e.g. a generic ‘for sale’ sign).  If requested, the sustainability declaration must be made available to a prospective buyer.

Will the declaration be required at open inspections?

Yes. Whenever the home that is for sale is open to the public for inspection, the seller must ensure a copy of the sustainability declaration is conspicuously displayed at the site or in the dwelling. The seller’s agent however is not obliged to provide a copy of the sustainability declaration to every prospective purchaser.

Is a sustainability declaration required for properties placed on the market before 2010?

A SD will be required for houses, townhouses and units if the property has not been sold and continues to be marketed after 1 January, 2010, regardless of when the property was initially listed for sale.

The Sustainability Declaration Laws

A Sustainability Declaration must be completed for all residential properties when offered for sale in Queensland. These laws will affect you and the selling of your house, unit or townhouse. You as the seller of a home must make the completed Sustainability Declaration available for potential buyers to inspect and ensure it is visibly displayed at open houses or inspections. There are maximum penalties of up to $2000 for sellers failing to meet the mandatory requirements of completing and making a Sustainability Declaration available.

Likewise, you as the seller (vendor) may be liable to a buyer, if a buyer purchased a home and the SD was found to be false or misleading. You cannot publish an ad for the sale of your home unless the ad includes information on where a copy of the SD can be obtained.(excludes magazines and newspaper ads)  Similar such Sustainability Declarations carried out for home sales in other states have showed homes which had a Sustainability Declaration completed ,achieved an increased sale price of up to 3% on average.

With the team at QSD having carried out thousands of building inspections in the last 20 years in all areas of Queensland. QSD is your #1 choice and best qualified when it comes to completing and providing you with the newly introduced Sustainability Declaration on your home.