When David* was told his real estate agent wanted to hold inspections in the home he’s renting during Sydney’s lockdown, he thought “that can’t be right”.
A quick Google search proved him wrong. On the , he found private inspections - even in tenanted homes - are perfectly legal under the state’s current health orders.
David lives in Sydney’s inner west with his wife and two children. He told The Feed he is concerned about inspections going ahead as his daughter is immunocompromised.
Private home inspections of one person per booking are currently allowed in Greater Sydney. Source: Getty
He’s raised these concerns with his real estate agent and is awaiting a response.
“Given the situation that NSW is in at the moment... it's an insane suggestion, isn't it?” he said.
“I just couldn't understand how anyone in their right mind could think it was okay to bring strangers into someone's home given the Delta variant and aerosol transmission.”
David and his family only moved into their current home less than a year ago. This month, his landlord, who lives overseas, decided to put the house on the market smack bang in the middle of lockdown.
His real estate agent told him about eight people would be coming through his home during these inspections in private bookings of one at a time.
The Feed has chosen a pseudonym for David, as he is concerned about being evicted, or not being able to find a place if his real name is used in this story.
“I’m in the position where I’ll never be able to afford to buy a house,” David said.
“Within the next nine months, I will be looking for a place. So for me to stir the shit with real estate agents is just something that I just can't do,” he added.
Leo Patterson Ross, chief executive at Tenants Union NSW, told The Feed inspections in Greater Sydney are causing “a huge amount of distress.”
“People are trying to do the right thing. They can’t go and see their mum but they’re forced to let people into their house,” Mr Patterson Ross said.
“It’s the inconsistency that’s upsetting people.”
Mr Patterson Ross said the union is advocating for inspections to be put on hold if tenants are living in properties, whether that be for general inspections or if a property is up for sale.
He said there needs to be more clarity with the current restrictions as it’s unreasonable to put pressure on tenants to negotiate with landlords and agents.
“Tenants can't say no and are very worried about being evicted, using no grounds evictions.”
“We need public health orders to make a very clear line in the sand and say to agents you're not allowed to do this because without that some agents will do it.
NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian (right) and NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant are seen during a press conference in Sydney, 20 July, 2021. Source: AAP
In a statement to The Feed, a NSW Health spokesperson said people who’ve been in Greater Sydney in the past 14 days are able to leave home if they have a reasonable excuse.
“[This includes] moving to a new place of residence, or between different places of residence,” the spokesperson said.
“Similar rules are in place for people who have been in Orange, Blayney or Caboone LGAs since 17 July.”
The spokesperson stressed that in-person auctions or open inspections of properties must not take place in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, or Orange, Blayney or Caboone Local Government Areas.
“Although inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only if in accordance with a real estate agent’s COVID-19 safety plan,” the spokesperson added.
The Feed has also spoken to several tenants who were successful in blocking real estate agents from holding inspections at their rentals.
At the beginning of Bondi’s COVID-19 outbreak, Kean Edwards and his housemate were told by his landlord’s real estate agent that people would be inspecting their rental in the eastern suburbs.
The inspections started three months into their lease before NSW’s stay-at-home order was introduced.
“We weren’t super comfortable as we both work from home full-time,” he said.
“After some negotiations, we were offered $50 a week off the rent during the duration of three weeks and were told people attending had to wear a mask.”
Cars line up for Covid-19 testing at Bondi in Sydney. Source: AAP
When the stay-at-home order came into place, Kean and his roommate raised their concerns with the agent.
“As Bondi was the centre of the COVID outbreak, we pushed back as leaving the house wasn’t feasible for us and we didn’t feel comfortable with strangers coming through and potentially bringing the virus into our house,” he said.
The agent filmed their home last week and has agreed for virtual inspections to occur instead.
Kean lives in a home that is semi-detached from another property. He said inspections are happening at the house next door to his, which is also up for sale.
“We have seen them having multiple inspections during lockdown,” Kean said.
“I don’t think the rules are fair.
“Real estate agents are coming into contact with potentially hundreds of people during the week. Meanwhile, construction sites are shut down and many retail workers are out of work.
“If and when a real estate agent gets the virus, we are going to see a super spreader event.”
NSW Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson addresses the media during a press conference. Source: AAP
A spokesperson at Fair Trading told The Feed, "nothing is more important to the NSW Government than keeping communities safe during this time."
"The NSW Government is constantly monitoring the health advice to ensure the rights, health and safety of consumers and property owners are protected," the spokesperson added.
"Inspections that do take place at this time must be conducted in accordance with a COVID-19 Safety Plan that complies with the requirements of the Public Health Order."
Tim McKibbin, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW), told The Feed the industry is "wholly committed to protecting the community."
“Our advice is for agents to not only comply with the health order but to also embrace the spirit of it," Mr McKibbin said.
“At present, routine inspections should be conducted virtually or re-scheduled to a later date. Inspections for outgoing tenants can occur in person, but only one tenant should be present."
Mr McKibbin said REINSW encourages its members to undertake "a cautious and common-sense approach".
"Importantly, agents must be able to continue to do their job and serve the community’s needs for housing in accordance with the current requirements determined by the Government, based on the latest health advice," he said.
“These are challenging times and every sector of the economy and community has a role to play.”
For David, the safety of his family is his main priority. He intends to stay put at inspections to ensure potential buyers are wearing masks and following COVID-Safe practices.
“I don't want to rock the boat for the sale of the house but at the same time, I want to be safe.”
*Name changed for privacy reasons
