The legal side of a Queensland property sale is the same whether you sell privately or through an agent, and your solicitor or conveyancer does the heavy lifting. You get to focus on the fun part: presenting your home and meeting buyers! Here's every step. It's general information, not legal advice.
1. Engage your solicitor or conveyancer
Do this when you choose your PLBO package. They'll prepare the Form 2, gather the prescribed certificates, draft the contract, hold the deposit in trust and run settlement.
2. Form 2 seller disclosure statement
Since 1 August 2025, the seller must give the buyer a Form 2 and prescribed certificates before the contract is signed (Holding Redlich).
| Included | Examples |
|---|---|
| Property and title | the title search and registered plan |
| Encumbrances and zoning | easements, covenants, zoning |
| Community scheme | the body corporate certificate, for units and townhouses |
| Pool | whether there's a pool and its certificate status |
| Tenancies | any current lease |
| Rates | council and water rates |
| Notices | notices under building, planning and environmental laws |
If the Form 2 isn't given before signing, or is materially inaccurate, the buyer may be able to terminate and get a full refund, so accuracy matters!
3. Smoke alarms
Queensland homes being sold must have photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms, either hardwired (installed by a licensed electrician) or with 10-year non-removable batteries, in each bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms, and on each storey. Sellers declare compliance on the transfer paperwork (QFD).
4. Pools and spas
- With a certificate: give the buyer a copy before settlement.
- Without one: lodge a Form 36 (notice of no pool safety certificate) with the QBCC and give the buyer a copy before settlement. The buyer then has 90 days to obtain a certificate for a non-shared pool (QBCC).
5. The contract, deposit and cooling-off
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract | prepared by your solicitor or conveyancer; signed after the buyer receives the Form 2 |
| Deposit | held in trust, as the contract sets out |
| Cooling-off | 5 business days |
| If the buyer terminates in cooling-off | 0.25% of the price is forfeited |
| No cooling-off | auction purchases |
6. Tax
- ATO clearance certificate. Since 1 January 2025, buyers must withhold 15% on every property sale unless the seller provides a valid clearance certificate at or before settlement (ATO). It's free and online.
- Capital gains tax. Your main residence is generally exempt. Investments usually aren't, fully or partly.
- GST. Not normally payable on an existing home.
7. Settlement adjustments
Your conveyancer apportions council rates, water charges and body corporate levies so you pay only for your time as owner.
Document checklist: gather these in week one
| Document | Where from |
|---|---|
| Form 2 and prescribed certificates | your solicitor or conveyancer |
| Contract | your solicitor or conveyancer |
| Smoke alarm compliance | your electrician |
| Pool safety certificate or Form 36 | a pool safety inspector or the QBCC |
| Council and water rates | your council |
| Body corporate certificate (units) | your body corporate manager |
| ATO clearance certificate | ATO online |
8. Settlement day
Settlement is completed electronically. You hand over the keys and receive 100% of your sale proceeds. PLBO takes no commission.
The part you control: price and presentation
While your conveyancer looks after the legal steps, you focus on the exciting part! Your PLBO property comparables report shows recent sales of similar homes near you, so you can set your asking price with confidence and talk to Queensland buyers from a position of strength. Then list in minutes with Generate with AI.
Put it into action
Follow the Queensland 8-week plan and choose your PLBO package. While your conveyancer prepares the Form 2, PLBO puts your home in front of buyers on PLBO and across Domain, view, homely, Soho, realty, onthehouse and allhomes*. Let's get it sold!
*Availability on allhomes.com.au may depend on the property's location, listing type and applicable portal requirements.