Sustainability Declaration
BY: ANNE RILEY
 |  |
What is the sustainability declaration?
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 purpose is to encourage prospective buyers to make informed choices relating to the sustainable performance of residential buildings. The 2 page checklist will identify the property's environmental and social sustainability features in four key areas:
- energy
- water
- safety
- 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. Federal Government rebates and interest free loans of up to $10,000 are available to upgrade the sustainability of properties.
Who should complete a sustainability declaration?
The declaration is designed to be completed by the property owner. 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. This Sustainability Declaration must be referred to in all advertising and promotion. The sustainability declaration is the precursor to mandatory disclosure, which will be introduced in 2011.
For those homeowners who have already taken steps to improve the sustainability of their property, the environmental, social and financial benefits of those features can be readily recognised when the property is on the market.
For further information go to: http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/sustainable-housing/sustainability-declaration.html
