OPINION
Banning physical inspections of homes for renters and buyers is not a proportionate response to the public health risk, writes REA Group CEO Owen Wilson.
Physical property inspections in Melbourne must be reinstated.
Buying, selling and renting property during this health crisis is not a discretionary activity — shelter is an absolute necessity.
Banning physical inspections until October 26 does not appear to be a proportionate response to the public health risks.
Melbourne’s property market has effectively been placed on hold. Picture: Getty
I should make it clear the real estate industry remains committed to ensuring we play an ongoing role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Real estate agents proved during initial restrictions their ability to adapt to new ways of operating. Precautions were quickly implemented during private inspections, such as adhering to social distancing, sanitisation practices, contact tracing and implementation of COVID-safe workplace protocols.
The inconsistency in the stage four restrictions defies logic and needs to be corrected. Like other professionals and tradespeople who provide important services to the community, real estate agents should be trusted to operate safely in this environment.
The government’s road map is confusing and inconsistent when you consider it is possible to have meetings on building sites with five people, yet a single person can’t inspect a property.
The Victorian government’s roadmap has been confusing and inconsistent when it comes to the real estate industry. Picture: Getty
The ban is having a profound impact on Victoria’s economy and access to safe, secure housing. The flow-on effects include significant social and financial hardship in our local communities.
Over recent weeks we have seen many examples of Melbourne’s extended real estate lockdown leaving buyers, sellers and homeowners in limbo, with many in desperate financial situations.
Some people have sold houses in recent months because of job losses and need to find a place to rent. Others are midway through buying and selling and have had to secure bridging finance, costing much more every week. This adds enormous stress to the process.
In the coming weeks, many Victorians who have deferred their mortgage repayments will be asked to resume payments. Some will need to downsize or perhaps even leave the property market. They cannot do this if the market is unable to operate effectively.
The real estate industry is committed to finding the right balance between the challenges of the health crisis while ensuring the right measures are in place for a functioning real estate sector.
Finally, we remain confident that once restrictions ease, the property market can recover. Let’s allow this essential market to open up again so our economy and communities can return to some form of normality.
This article originally appeared in The Herald Sun.
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