Christmas Shutdown & Queensland Property Transactions 2025-26
- RHC Solicitors
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As the end of the year approaches, Queensland’s property industry enters its annual Christmas and New Year shutdown period. While property transactions can still proceed during this time, buyers and sellers should be aware that industry-wide closures can significantly affect turnaround times, particularly this year with the introduction of the new Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2).
If you are planning to buy or sell property in December 2025 or January 2026, early preparation is essential to avoid delays.
In This Article:
When Does The Property Industry Shut Down?
Across Queensland, much of the property industry reduces operations or closes entirely from 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 (inclusive).
During this period, many third parties involved in property transactions operate with skeleton staff or cease processing requests altogether. This includes:
Local councils
Banks and settlement teams
Titles Office and search providers
Body corporate managers
Certifiers and developers
Other law firms
While contracts may still be signed, progress often slows due to the unavailability of essential documents, searches and approvals.
Please note that the cooling-off period continues to run for contracts signed between 27 and 31 December 2025, as these dates are not statutory public holidays.
Why The 2025 Shutdown Is Different: Seller Disclosure (Form 2)
The introduction of the Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2) has changed how residential contracts are prepared in Queensland.
Form 2s requires sellers to provide a range of prescribed documents and certificates before a contract can be validly entered into. This process involves greater coordination with councils, bodies corporate and search providers than under the previous regime.
When these requirements coincide with the Christmas shutdown:
Some certificates may take longer to be issued
Certain searches may not be processed until January
Urgent requests may not be possible during the shutdown period
As a result, turnaround times for preparing Seller Disclosure Statements may be longer than usual in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Selling Over December Or January: The Importance Of Early Preparation
If you are planning to list or sell a property in December or January, it is strongly recommended that you engage your solicitor as early as possible to prepare your Seller Disclosure Statement.
Early engagement allows time to:
Order required searches and certificates before shutdowns commence
Identify and address any issues with disclosure documents
Provide greater certainty around contract timing for agents and buyers
Leaving disclosure preparation until late December increases the risk of delays, which may affect marketing schedules or buyer confidence.
Off-the-Plan Transactions Are Also Affected
Although Off-The-Plan (OTP) contracts are not subject to the Form 2 disclosure regime, they are still impacted by the Christmas shutdown.
Off-the-plan matters often rely on:
Titles Office processing and plan registrations
Council approvals
Developer documentation and releases
Bank settlement teams
Reduced availability across these areas can delay settlements or key transaction milestones. Buyers and developers alike benefit from allowing additional buffer time over the holiday period.
What This Means For Buyers
If you are buying property, particularly over the Christmas period, it is important not to feel pressured into signing contracts without legal advice simply because offices are closing.
Engaging your solicitor early ensures:
You understand the risks and timing implications
Any disclosure issues are identified promptly
You are not forced to make rushed decisions during the shutdown
How RHC Solicitors Helps During The Christmas Period
RHC Solicitors plans ahead for the end-of-year shutdown to minimise disruption to clients wherever possible. Our approach includes:
Continuing to operate outside mandatory closure dates
Providing clear and realistic advice about transaction timeframes
Proactively communicating where third-party delays are likely
Helping clients prioritise key steps before the industry slows
Having assisted in thousands of property transactions for 40+ years, our team understands how the Christmas shutdown can affect your property transaction.
Need Advice Before the End of the Year?
If you are planning to buy or sell property over the Christmas and New Year period, early legal advice can help reduce delays and manage risk.
To discuss your matter or obtain advice tailored to your circumstances, please contact RHC Solicitors.
Disclaimer: This publication is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute legal advice. We are unable to ensure the information is current and there is no guarantee in relation to accuracy. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content of this publication. The views and/or opinions expressed in this publication is that of the author and may not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of RHC Solicitors.
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