A sustainability declaration is a compulsory checklist that must be completed by the seller (vendor) when selling a house, townhouse or unit. It will be required as part of the sale from 1 January 2010.
Properties that have a greater number of sustainability features can have lower operating costs and be more energy and water efficient. They use less energy for heating and cooling, generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions, use less water—and best of all, are more comfortable to live in.
Sustainability features such as access and safety also mean that the property will be suitable for owners during their various life stages and will reduce the need for costly future upgrades.
The checklist will identify the property’s environmental and social sustainability features in four key areas:
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energy
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water
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safety
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access
It will increase the awareness and marketability of the dwelling’s sustainable building features and will act as an incentive to improve the sustainability performance of Queensland’s 1.6 million existing homes.
For those homeowners who have already taken steps to improve the sustainability of their property, this means that the environmental, social and financial benefits of those features can be recognised when the property is on the market.
Who should complete a sustainability declaration?
The declaration is designed to be completed by the property owner or a delegated individual. If an owner is unable to complete the form, they can seek help from another person to complete it on their behalf as long as the owner signs it. Where an owner cannot sign the form, a person authorised under a power of attorney or other statutory power may sign the form.
Download the sustainability declaration
Further questions and answers from Dept. Infrastructure and Planning
Q: Are there any exemptions?
A: No properties in Queensland are specifically exempt.
Q: Does this only apply to new properties?
A: For each property on the market as of the 01/01/2010, a sustainability declaration must be completed by the owner of that property. This includes properties that were marketed as available for sale before the aforementioned date and remain so into the new year.
Q: What about land?
A: A sustainability declaration does not need to be completed for vacant land. It is only mandatory when selling a house, townhouse or unit.
Q: What if the property owner gets some of the information wrong?
A: Fals declarations - If a buyer purchases a home and the sustainability declaration is found to be false/misleading/prepared without reasonable skill or care, then the seller may be liable to compensate the buyer for the loss/expense. It should be noted that if a seller isn’t sure about whether or not they possess a feature, they do not have to tick/complete the question.
Q: What if someone does not complete a declaration?
A: A penalty of up to $2 000 for the seller exists if a declaration is not completed.
Q: Can you get assistance to complete the form?
A: While no phone service is currently planned, guidelines designed to assist people in completing the declaration will be available on the DIP website in the near future.
Still not sure about the Sustanability Declaration? for further information
For further information or assistance in completing the declaration, refer to the fact sheet or email buildingcodes@dip.qld.gov.au.