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Every month, our Brisbane conveyancing team shares a real (anonymised) case from our files to help local buyers and sellers avoid costly mistakes.

This month: a first home purchase in Carina where one overlooked certificate in the seller disclosure statement changed everything.

The Situation: A First Home Purchase in Carina, Brisbane.

Our clients, a young couple buying their first home in Brisbane's south, signed a contract for a three-bedroom house with a pool in Carina. Finance was approved, the building and pest inspection came back without concern, and settlement was set for 30 days. It looked like a straightforward purchase.

The Problem: A Defective Seller Disclosure Statement.

Since 1 August 2025, Queensland sellers must give buyers a seller disclosure statement, along with prescribed certificates, before the buyer signs the contract. For properties with a regulated pool, that includes pool safety information. During our contract review, we found the pool safety certificate attached to the disclosure statement had expired. Under Queensland law, if a disclosure statement is missing required information or is inaccurate, the buyer may have the right to terminate the contract before settlement.

What Our Brisbane Conveyancers Did: We acted quickly to protect our clients' position. Within 24 hours, we flagged the problem and explained their options in plain English: terminate the contract, or negotiate. Our clients loved the home, so we negotiated for the seller to repair the pool fencing and obtain a new pool safety certificate before settlement, along with a reduction in the purchase price.

The Outcome: On-Time Settlement and Money Saved.

Settlement went ahead on schedule. Our clients moved into a home with a compliant pool, full peace of mind, and money back in their pocket.

Key Lessons for Buying or Selling Property in Brisbane

For buyers: read every page of the seller disclosure statement, including attached certificates and their dates, and have a conveyancer review it before you sign. A defect can be something that allows you to negotiate the terms of the contract, or your way out.

For sellers: prepare your disclosure statement carefully before listing. An incomplete or inaccurate statement can give a buyer grounds to walk away, even weeks into the contract.

Frequently Asked Conveyancing Questions: Read More on our dedicated guide and click through on the links below 
What is a seller disclosure statement in Queensland?
Can a buyer terminate a contract if the seller disclosure statement is wrong?
Do I need a conveyancer to buy a house in Brisbane?
How much does conveyancing cost in Brisbane?

Need a Brisbane Conveyancer You Can Trust? Whether you're buying your first home or selling an investment property, River City Conveyancing offers fixed-fee conveyancing across Brisbane and South East Queensland. Book a free contract review or call 07 3013 2300.

Client details have been changed to protect privacy. This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Reviewed by John Horrocks. Posted 6 November 2026.