The Victorian government, led by the Allan administration, has announced plans to make it mandatory for home sellers to fund building and pest inspections prior to selling their properties, if they are re-elected later this year. This policy aims to address the perceived unfairness in the current system, where home buyers are responsible for organizing and paying for these inspections. The government believes that the current approach disadvantages buyers and misleads them about the condition of homes they are considering purchasing.

The government has indicated that it will develop a mandatory building and pest inspections scheme, with an aim to legislate these changes by early 2027. This move is inspired by a similar system in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where vendors are required to pay for pre-sale inspections. The Allan government asserts that making vendors responsible for these costs will potentially impact the housing market positively, ensuring that buyers have access to crucial information about the properties they wish to purchase, which can significantly influence their decisions.

If implemented, this policy could lead to substantial changes in the real estate transaction process in Victoria, alleviating some financial burdens on prospective home buyers. The move also comes amid broader discussions about housing affordability and market transparency, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting the interests of home buyers and ensuring fairness in property transactions.