From 1 August 2025, big changes have landed for Queensland property sales. Sellers are now required to complete a Seller disclosure statement (form 2) and hand it over to buyers before contracts are signed.
This is definitely a step in the right direction, mandating sellers to disclose more upfront information about a property’s history. But for buyers, if you assume that means you can skip a professional building and pest inspection – unfortunately that’s not the case!
Contracts can still be subject to a building and pest inspection. We have even heard selling agents telling buyers that they no longer need one, but it’s important not to forgo your rights.
What the Disclosure Statement Actually Covers
The new disclosure rules mean sellers must share certain details about any residential or commercial property or vacant land they’re selling. A buyer has the right to terminate a contract at any stage if the seller does not comply.
Think of it as an overview of the “admin side” of things, including:
- Who owns the property and whether it’s part of a body corporate
- Easements, tenancies, and registered encumbrances on the title
- Zoning, planning, or environmental restrictions
- Things like pool safety certificates, outstanding council notices, or heritage listings
This is all useful information, but it’s a very different lens to what a qualified building and pest inspector looks for.
What It Doesn’t Cover (This Bit Matters!)
Here’s where it gets tricky. The Seller disclosure statement does not require sellers to declare structural problems or pest issues, for example:
- The structural soundness of the building, including defects like cracks in walls and ceilings, leaks, or dodgy renos
- The property’s flooding or natural hazard history
- Termite or other pest damage
- The presence of asbestos
- Previous building or development approvals
So, while the disclosure statement gives you a snapshot – it doesn’t tell you what’s happening behind the walls, under the floors, or in the roof. And this is of course critical when it comes to making an informed decision on purchasing a property!
Duty of Disclosure QLD – What It Means for Buyers
The new laws are often referred to as a seller’s duty of disclosure in QLD. But importantly, that doesn’t shift the responsibility to sellers to tell you everything about the property. It just means they need to share a set list of mandatory information.
As the buyer, you still carry the responsibility to do your due diligence – and that’s where building and pest inspections come in.
Why You Still Need a Building and Pest Inspection
When looking to buy a Queensland property, a professional pre purchase building inspection is your best safeguard because it can reveal:
- Structural issues that could cost you literally thousands down the track
- Active or historic termite damage
- Moisture, rot, roof leaks, and other hidden problems
- Unapproved or unsafe building work
- and much more.
Put simply: the disclosure tells you what’s on paper. A building and pest inspection tells you what’s really going on. Don’t rely solely on what’s handed to you in a Form 2!
Find Out What’s Really Going with a Building and Pest Inspection
The new disclosure laws are a welcome step towards transparency, but they’re no replacement for a detailed inspection.
If you’re looking to purchase property in the Brisbane region – whether south, north, Redlands, Logan or Ipswich – book your independent building and pest inspection with Trimax Building Inspections today on 0418 433 533. We’ll give you the full picture so you can buy with confidence – knowing you’ve covered the risks that the disclosure doesn’t.