New Property Law Changes coming for Queenslanders
Big Changes Are Coming to Queensland Property Law: What You Need to Know
From the 1st of August 2025, every residential property seller in Queensland will be legally required to provide a Seller’s Disclosure Statement before a buyer signs the contract.
This change is part of the new Property Law Act 2023 – and it marks the biggest shake-up to Queensland’s conveyancing system in decades. Whether you're a seller, agent, or just keeping an eye on the property market, it's important to understand how these changes could affect you.
What is the Seller’s Disclosure Statement?
The Seller’s Disclosure Statement is a legally required document designed to give the buyer a clear and upfront snapshot of the property they're purchasing. It must include details such as easements, encumbrances, planning restrictions, and any current notices or disputes.
It also has to be supported by certificates and search results, including:
Title search
Registered plan
Registered and unregistered encumbrances
Unregistered leases or private agreements
Contaminated land status
Pool safety certificates
Road search
QCAT search
Heritage listings
Tenancy agreements (if applicable)
Current rates and water amounts
Body corporate information (for applicable properties)
In short, it’s a comprehensive disclosure package that must be accurate and complete before the contract is signed.
Why is this happening – and what are the risks?
Historically, Queensland followed a “buyer beware” model – meaning the burden was on buyers to do their own due diligence.
Under the new laws, that flips. The onus is now on the seller to provide all relevant information upfront. If a Seller’s Disclosure Statement is incomplete, inaccurate, or not provided at all, the buyer can terminate the contract at any point before settlement – and recover their full deposit. In some cases, the seller might even be liable for the buyer’s financial losses.
There are no shortcuts or workarounds here. You can’t contract out of this obligation – no waivers, no special conditions.
What does this mean for agents and sellers?
For agents, this change means an update to your process. Agents can be authorised to prepare the disclosure statement on behalf of the seller, but timing and accuracy are critical.
No disclosure? No contract.
Wrong or outdated disclosure? High risk of termination or dispute.
This isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about protecting the sale from preventable setbacks.
How we can help
At East Legal, we’ll be handling this new process end to end for our clients – from preparing documents and ordering searches, to ensuring everything is completed on time and by the book.
If you’re a seller or an agent and want peace of mind during this transition, we’re here to support you.
Need more info?
Visit our website or follow us on Instagram and YouTube for updates. Got questions? Reach out directly – we’re happy to walk you through the changes.
And if your lawyer hasn’t mentioned these reforms yet… it might be time to rethink who’s in your corner.