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Full-page ads decrying the Victorian Premier’s stance on real estate closures are being circulated across major metropolitan newspapers today, courtesy of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).
The REIV has revealed the new campaign against the “onerous and unnecessary property market restrictions”, and has indicated it is campaigning “on behalf of the tens of thousands of sector employees and impacted Victorians”.
The full-page ads, released on Wednesday 8 September 2021, read: Locked down and locked out. Mr Premier, please give us our keys back.”
Featuring an image of Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, it continues:
“Victorians are being denied their basic right to rent, buy and sell a home … The financial and emotional stress of losing deposits, defaulting on contracts and not being able to secure appropriate living arrangements is leaving families in distress and endangering lives.”
The associated call-to-action is to write to the Premier directly “to help him understand their challenging situations and concerns with the government’s approach”.
The REIV said it expects many people to heed the message.
REIV Gil King has authorised the full-page advertisements, explaining that the campaign follows a “failure of the Victorian government to understand that the property sector can operate safely during a pandemic”.
As well as appearing in newspapers across the state, the advertisement will be distributed via social media and emailed to REIV members, to share the message widely with their networks and clients.
“Ever since the beginning of COVID-19, the REIV, on behalf of the sector, has outlined that private property inspections – residential and commercial – can occur safely,” Mr King said.
“We have made dozens upon dozens of representations to the Victorian government but are repeatedly ignored. We are determined to ensure the message gets through, and if taking a more public stance means the voices of Victorians are heard, then we are prepared to invest resources into that approach.”
Last week, the Victorian government had announced it would look to relax real estate restrictions once 70 per cent of the state’s eligible population had received their first jab.
Weighing in on the inability to conduct open for inspections at the present time, REIV President Leah Calnan said: “Buyers and renters are flying blind, and sellers and rental providers aren’t able to position their asset at its best."
“Lockdown regulations that ban property inspection by private appointment are creating an unnecessary burden on the property market, impacting aspiring homeowners and mum and dad investors. Most critically, though, they’re stopping many people from being able access rental properties so they can put a roof over their heads.”
She added that the inspection ban “effectively shuts down the property sector, which rubs salt into the wounds of an industry that has been excluded from government financial support despite its significant economic contribution”.
With REIV members reporting serious hardship of clients, Mr King said “suffocating a sector with unnecessary rules is already impacting the health, safety and mental well-being of the community and we shudder at the thought of potential longer-term consequences”.
“The REIV is ready and willing to work with the Victorian Government in finding the solutions that enable business to resume while ensuring the safety of all Victorians.”
The new advertising campaign follows the REIV’s teaming up with industry heavyweights to urge the real estate industry “Let’s get it done” – with respect to vaccinating the industry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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