House on Auction. Advice Needed to Protect The Family with Low Immunity Due to Corona Virus

chrismatt on 18/03/2020 - 12:19
Last edited 18/03/2020 - 12:42 by 1 other user

Our owner has put the house on auction and we are tenanted in the property. We have a family member who has low immunity as well. We are worried that due to auction, all sorts of random people will be walking into the house and touching everything.

What rights do we have to protect ourselves at this moment? The owner doesn't care, the real estate agent is unresponsive. I called the local council and they are clueless. Even though WHO has declared as a pandemic, they say they have no rules at this time. I am speechless that the government doesn't know what to do?

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated at the moment to protect. If there is one or two Coronavirus (this is mostly Asian dominated suburb) then it would be spreading to others.

Health & Beauty COVID-19

Comments

    • brownbag on 19/03/2020 - 07:53

      Yes, aged care homes are now insisting that visitors wear masks and gloves, so I think this is a reasonable thing to request.

  • Gelato on 19/03/2020 - 00:01

    Side story

    I inspected a property last month and am interested for a second inspection. The agent told me that the tenants went off to Europe for a holiday (before things went crazy two weeks ago) and will return end of this month. The tenants don’t want anyone to go in their home when they’re overseas, which is fair enough, so I can only inspect again when they come back. I hope the tenants will self isolate before opening their home again but the agent may want to push the sale asap.

    So in your case you’ll have absolute no idea of the travel history of people coming to auction

    Remember to keep a distance with people coming in

  • frostman on 19/03/2020 - 07:55
    +1

    Ignore all the stories of refusing to let the agent in, or keeping the house dirty.

    Go to your supermarket and get a can of Glen20 Antibacterial.

    When the house is open for inspection, take your family out, once done, you go in yourself with a mask and spray the house.
    Let it set for 10mins then come back in with family

  • abear on 19/03/2020 - 09:21
    +4

    Anti bacterial sprays/wipes do not kill ANY type of virus,only bacteria

    • dufflover on 19/03/2020 - 09:31
      +1

      My can of the Aldi equiv of Glen 20 is 60% w/w of Ethanol, so it's some kind of alcohol compound at least. Better than nothing.

    • derrida derider on 19/03/2020 - 20:33

      Just not true. Anything that denatures proteins (as ethanol does) kills viruses as the virus has a protein coating.

  • OzHunterNSW on 19/03/2020 - 09:51
    -4

    I don't think anyone feeling sick will be out looking at property.

    top being so paranoid

    • OzzyOzbourne on 19/03/2020 - 10:47
      +3

      Contagious for up to 14 days before symptoms show and most people only have minor symptoms and not know they have it.

      Complacency is why confirmed cases are doubling every few days.

    • ryurazu on 19/03/2020 - 13:55

      its only old people who will get server cases, young health might not even know they have it unless they get tested for it and there definitely not enough kits for testing. People are being paranoid (but this is real deal, you can be paranoid that someone is after because someone is actually after you) especially if you have immune comprised person in your family you have to be doubly sure.

  • FareEvader on 19/03/2020 - 09:52
    +1

    Tell them you tested positive for COVID-19 and start sneezing on the phone

  • striker5950 on 19/03/2020 - 09:55

    do not go through auction if you value your family's well being, sell me the house under market value is the best outcome

  • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2020 - 10:24
    +4

    OP I understand from your profile that you are in Victoria.

    I strongly suggest contacting Tenants Victoria

    https://www.tenantsvic.org.au/contact/

    They provides free information, advice and legal representation to promote and protect the rights of Victorians who rent their homes.

  • Livert on 19/03/2020 - 11:47

    Just put a sign in on the front door saying "High risk of COVID19". That should sort out most of them.

  • ryurazu on 19/03/2020 - 14:08
    -1

    Tell people that do come to the house to visit to clean their hands. If you have a good relationship with owner they might understand, as ultimately they are going decide what agents policy will be.

    probably better not to be an arsehole, put some free hand hand-sanitizer with a sign tell them to clean hands before entering.

    • YellowHouse on 20/03/2020 - 06:09
      +2

      Low immunity could mean death, it’s not right they have people in there. Why are people trying to fudge around the edges and not see that.

  • justwii on 19/03/2020 - 18:42

    Touching contaminated stuff will not get infected, touching your face after that will.

    Also don't spray anymore cleaning agent, you need to wipe that down afterward and that involves touching the contaminated source. This is 21st century, use UV light!

  • gomelbcityfc on 19/03/2020 - 20:48

    OP, Just a few thoughts on your dilemma:

    1. Tell the landlord not to be an arsehole, in the words of our prime minister : “JUST STOP IT! IT’S UN-AUSTRALIAN!”

    2. Reading all previous ideas, the best is : PUT SIGN OUTSIDE FRONT DOOR SAYING “DUE TO CONTACT WITH A SUSPECTED CASE OF COVID-19 WE ARE IN SELF-ISOLATION”

    3. If owner/agent is so keen to sell the property, they should pay for you to move to hotel accomodation for the duration of their campaign.

    4. If it becomes a serious issue I’m sure that 1 of our OzB fellow members can find you cheap/free accomodation for a few weeks (empty house, granny flat, holiday house)

      God knows OzB has made a few of them rich by “ozbargaining” bargains then selling them fleabay or gumtree for astronomical profits

    They should be ashamed of themselves…

    Hope you and your family stay healthy!

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/03/2020 - 04:27
    +1

    Just say you have COVID-19 and are in quarantine ;)

  • YellowHouse on 20/03/2020 - 06:03

    Maybe you should just say, given this is a crisis situation, and this virus kills people with low immunity, could you postpone the auction for 2 weeks, to see how things stand then, ie. spread/vaccines/lay of the land. If want to sell now, offer to take video on iPhone, esp. w all the defects not to be a tool just so people know what they’re getting. It doesn’t feel right given that people are quarantining in their homes.

  • Pricebeat on 20/03/2020 - 11:49
    +1

    I am looking to buy and got the below email from real estate

    To comply with this, whilst meeting demand, and to make our Clients more comfortable, we are introducing virtual tours so that it will be possible to view properties that you are interested in from your computer or phone. Our office has full IT capability. Documents and contracts can be signed and dealt with electronically. Interviews, meetings and market appraisals can be done at your home, over a cup of coffee, or by using Skype or Messenger.

  • chefdillu on 20/03/2020 - 12:49
    -2

    Please work with your landlord as he might need the funds too , Please note he or she has the right to give you a 28 days notice to evacuate with no reason as per law

    • ssquid on 20/03/2020 - 19:52
      +1

      Not true. If the lease is for a fixed term it can't be terminated early unless both parties agree, if it's a periodic lease in Victoria (OP's location) 120 days notice is required.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/03/2020 - 21:33

    Looks like you're in luck Op. Your state is going into lock down in 48hours.

  • Gelato on 24/03/2020 - 23:11
    +1

    PM just announced no auction/no open houses from tomorrow

  • trapper on 24/03/2020 - 23:52

    Well your all good now, the gov just banned open homes.

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