The Real Estate Institute of Australia has joined their Victorian counterparts in calling for the Victorian Government to reintroduce one-on-one inspections.
In addition, they have requested that property access be provided to those in the industry, “for the purposes of generating digital marketing materials, such as photos and videos”.
Social distancing requirements will be met, they stress.
REIA president Adrian Kelly wrote the below letter to Premier Daniel Andrews, urging him to reopen the country’s second largest property market.
“A healthy property sector has been a crucial support to economic growth in Australia and can be expected to play a vital role in Australia’s recovery in these unprecedented times,” the letter reads.
“Victoria is critical to this as our second biggest residential property market with 30 per cent of Australian capital cities and 20 per cent of Australia’s rental market and nearly 80,000 dwelling sales annually.
“Across Australia the agency industry has been diligent in upholding public health protocols and social distancing since March 2020.
“We are committed to working with all Australian governments to manage the risks presented by the global pandemic and have been praised in many jurisdictions for our collaborative approach.
“We understand that other sectors are able to conduct similar activities and believe the real estate industry should be provided a level playing field.
“It is nonsensical that as an estate agent I will be permitted to take my pet pooch to the beauty parlour before I can show a prospective tenant or purchaser through a property in order for them to have a roof over their head.
“It is our national experience that these activities have been undertaken safely and have mitigated risks of community transmission.”
Mr Kelly said allowing people to sell their homes to avoid financial suffering will not only provide economic relief to individuals but the country as a whole, and is a critical factor in the payment of government stamp duty.
