21st September 2020: REIA Joins Call to Restart Victorian Real Estate

'Nonsensical': REIA joins call to restart Victorian real estate

Brought to you by Realestatebusiness.com.au - Emma Ryan

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has spoken out about the restrictions to real estate in Victoria, dubbing the approach as "nonsensical" when compared to other sectors that are above its reopening on the priority list.

Following previous calls from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), the REIA has penned a letter to Premier Daniel Andrews to reintroduce contactless activities in the real estate industry, such as one-on-one inspections. Such measures, REIA president Adrian Kelly said, will allow the industry to reopen, albeit with appropriate safeguards in place.

Mr Kelly said other sectors on track to open safely should be proof that, with proper measures in place, real estate in Victoria can as well.

"We understand that other sectors are able to conduct similar activities and believe the real estate industry should be provided a level playing field," he explained.

"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 added that "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".

"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," he said.

"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."