Good news for the metropolitan Melbourne real estate industry as private inspections allowed to re-commence

In a media conference on Sunday 27 September, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that private real estate inspections will be permitted re-commence in metropolitan Melbourne, from 28 September. 

Private inspections are permitted to run for a maximum of 15 minutes. The 5km rule does not apply if you are attending a private house inspection, however you are only permitted to leave your house for a maximum of 2 hours.

This comes after industry leaders called for sales pipelines for property and development to be reopened, in order to protect the sector and assist in the economic recovery for the state. The Property Council of Australia, Master Builders Association and UDIA Victoria were confident their advocacy on behalf of the sector would pay off – and this has been reflected in the Premier's announcement today. 

Metropolitan Melbourne joins real estate agents and developers in regional Victoria, who were able to open their display homes, sales suites and re-commence by-appointment inspections earlier this month. 

Daniel Andrews also announced in the media conference that face masks will remain mandatory, making it necessary for all parties who attend a private house inspection or by-appointment sales suite to wear one. There have been changes to the rules pertaining to face coverings, with Victorians no longer permitted to wear scarves, bandanas or face shields. Fitted face masks that cover the mouth and nose will become mandatory from 11:59pm on the 27th September.   

The curfew will also be lifted as of 28 September, and 2 households of up to 5 people will be permitted to gather outdoors to socialise. 

Any breaches of the rules – including having guests over to your home or meeting outside in large groups – will be met with a fine of almost $5000.

In relation to the development and construction sector, industry activity is due to pick up considerably on Monday 28 September when restrictions ease. UDIA Victoria have urged workers across this industry to be vigilant about making their worksites COVIDSafe, and to ensure that every person and business knows their responsibilities and follows COVIDSafe rules – in order to keep the industry safe and open.

UDIA Victoria has worked with other industry organisations and unions to develop critical communication materials for the building, construction and development industry, to make sure sector has the best chance of keeping building sites open as Victoria progresses along the roadmap to reopening.

They released this factsheet along with their request for sites to be COVIDsafe:

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