COVID-19: Guidelines for real estate activities

Effective from 12:01am Tuesday 15 August 2023, all COVID-19 requirements have been removed. We are currently updating this page.

The COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system) was removed from Monday 12 September 2022, 11:59 pm. Our guidance was last updated on 19 September 2022.

Protecting lives and livelihoods remains the goal of the Government’s COVID-19 response. It is now possible to do this with fewer requirements, giving greater certainty to people, businesses and communities.

This page has information to help you navigate real estate work within the Government’s latest COVID-19 response.

Key Points

  • These guidelines must be read alongside the guidelines provided on the Unite against COVID-19(external link) and business.govt.nz(external link) websites
  • The Covid-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021 has been revoked, removing the Protection Framework (traffic light system). This applies to all of New Zealand
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 7 days
  • Household contacts do not need to isolate. For details about household contacts check Unite against COVID-19(external link)
  • Household contacts are encouraged to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) for 5 days, wear a mask and avoid contact with the person who has COVID-19
  • Mask wearing is required in healthcare and aged care facilities
  • Some places may continue to ask people to wear a face mask
  • You are encouraged to wear a face mask in crowded places, such as public transport, or when visiting people at high risk
  • There are no capacity limits for indoor or outdoor settings
  • There is no requirement to scan in or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping
  • Staying home if sick, wearing a face mask, getting vaccinated and having booster shots, and having good ventilation are important health and safety risk controls

REA recommends

  • Licensees undertake a risk assessment to determine the COVID-19 risks and controls required at each real estate activity.
  • No one should attend an agency office or a property or engage in real estate activities if they have cold/flu like symptoms, are self-isolating, or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result.
  • Licensees, customers or clients who are household contacts of a positive case are encouraged to wear a mask.
  • Licensees consider the health and safety risks for each property listing and the controls they need to have in place. Discuss these issues with the vendor. Consider ventilation, hygiene practices, use of masks and cleaning. Read about how to keep your workplace well ventilated
  • Licensees document the safety plan and sales and marketing approach that identifies risks and responses for signing by the vendor at the time the agency agreement is signed. The document can set out the health and safety controls to be used for the sales process. See more about operating safely – what you need to think about at Worksafe Mahi Haumaro Aotearoa(external link)
  • Licensees prepare a health and safety plan that ensures your fiduciary obligations are met and all potential purchasers and parties are treated fairly
  • Licensees encourage all people entering/leaving the workplace to comply with the health and safety requirements
  • Masks are worn in crowded indoor settings. Information about face masks is available at business.govt.nz(external link)
  • Licensees have a plan for dealing with a COVID-19 case in their business. Read about what to do if you have a COVID-19 case at your business(external link)

Health and safety risk assessments

Although there are less public health restrictions, it is still important for agencies and licensees to conduct health and safety risk assessments and adopt infection prevention control processes that are appropriate for the risks arising in your area and real estate locations. For guidance on undertaking a health and safety risk assessment see Worksafe’s risk assessment guidance worksafe.govt.nz(external link)

All agencies are expected to undertake health and safety risk assessments for the workplace. Your risk assessment may consider whether vaccination for workers is required — where justified — and/or what other health and safety controls are required at the workplace and for all real estate activities. Read more about COVID-19 controls at work at Worksafe Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa(external link)

Information about worker vaccination requirements is available at Vaccines and the workplace at Employment New Zealand(external link)

Vaccination

All government vaccine mandates will end at 11:59pm, 26 September 2022. Some employers may still require workers to be vaccinated due to health and safety assessments. Vaccination can only be used as a measure if the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 at work is higher than it is in the community.

Financial assistance

The government's financial assistance package may be available to you and your agency. You can find out more and apply for assistance at Work and Income Te Hiranga Tangata(external link)

Looking after yourself and your agency

Navigating change can be challenging.

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Last updated 30 August 2023