As 2026 draws to a close, Queensland’s property industry enters its annual Christmas and New Year slowdown. While property transactions can still proceed, industry-wide closures over the holiday period can significantly affect timing and the obligations and rights of the parties.
If you’re planning to buy or sell property in December 2026 or January 2027, prepare early to avoid delays.
In This Article:
When Does The Property Industry Slow Down?
Under REIQ (Real Estate Institute of Queensland) Contract Standard Term 1.1(i), a "business day" is defined as any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, a Public Holiday in the place of settlement, and a day in the period of 27 to 31 December inclusive.
Looking at the calendar for the end of 2026, the last business day will be Thursday, 24 December 2026, and the first business day after the shutdown period will be Monday, 4 January 2027.
Any contract conditions that fall between 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027 (inclusive) will automatically default to the next business day, which is Monday, 4 January 2027.
During this period, key parties involved in property transactions often operate with minimal staff or pause operations altogether, including:
local councils
banks and settlement teams
Titles Office and search providers
body corporate managers
certifiers and developers
other law firms
Tip: Cooling-off periods continue to run even on 28-30 December 2026, as these are not statutory public holidays.
What About The Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2)?
The Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2) remains mandatory for residential sales in Queensland. It requires sellers to provide a range of prescribed documents and certificates before a contract can be validly entered into.
Over the holiday period, it's important to remember that:
some certificates may take longer to issue
searches may not be processed until early January
urgent requests may be impossible during the industry shutdown
This means turnaround times for preparing Form 2s are likely to be longer than usual in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
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Selling Over December Or January? Early Preparation Is Key
If you plan to list or sell your property in December 2026 or January 2027, engage your solicitor as early as possible.
Early preparation allows time to:
order required searches and certificates before the shutdown
identify and resolve any issues with disclosure documents
provide certainty for agents, buyers, and contract timing
Waiting until late December increases the risk of delays, which can affect marketing schedules and buyer confidence.
What This Means For Buyers
If you’re buying property over the Christmas period, do not feel pressured to sign contracts without legal advice.
Engaging your solicitor early ensures that you understand the risks and timing implications, any disclosure issues are addressed promptly, and you avoid rushed decisions while offices are closed
Off-The-Plan Transactions Are Also Affected
Off-the-plan (OTP) contracts are not subject to Form 2 disclosure, but they still face delays over the holiday period.
OTP transactions often rely on:
Titles Office processing and plan registrations
Council approvals
developer documentation and releases
bank settlement teams
Reduced availability across these areas may delay settlements or milestones, so buyers and developers should allow extra buffer time during the holiday season.
How RHC Solicitors Helps During The Holiday Period
RHC Solicitors always plans to minimise disruptions for clients and business partners during the year-end slowdown.
This includes:
operating outside mandatory closure dates where possible
providing clear, realistic advice on transaction timeframes
communicating proactively when third-party delays are likely
With 40+ years’ experience and thousands of property transactions completed, our team understands how to navigate the Christmas and New Year period smoothly, year after year.
If you are planning to buy or sell property over the 2026/27 holiday period, early legal advice can reduce delays and manage risk. Contact RHC Solicitors to discuss your matter and receive advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
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 are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of RHC Solicitors.
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