Property Inspection Agreement

Disclaimer

You acknowledge that this disclaimer forms an integral part of the report. This report is not an all-encompassing document dealing with the building from every aspect. It seeks to identify obvious or significant defects apparent at the time of the inspection. Whether or not a defect is considered significant can relate to the age and type of the building inspected. This is not a structural report. For advice of a structural nature contact a structural engineer.

Identification of hazardous materials or situations that may be in the building or on or near the property is outside the scope of this inspection.

This report is not a certificate of compliance of the property under any act, regulation, ordinance, local law or by-law. It is not a warranty against problems developing with the building in the future. This report does not include the detection and identification of unauthorised or illegal building, plumbing or electrical work or of work not compliant with building regulations. With respect to minor defects, the inspection is limited to reporting on their overall extent not listing each one.

This is a visual inspection only as required by Australian Standard 4349.1 – 2007 Pre-purchase Inspections – Residential buildings – Appendix C, limited to those areas and sections of the property fully accessible and visible to the inspector on the date of Inspection. We have not inspected woodwork or other parts of the structure which are covered, unexposed or inaccessible and we are therefore unable to report that any such part of the structure is free from defect. The inspection did not include breaking apart, dismantling, removing or moving objects including, but not limited to, foliage, moldings, roof insulation/sisalation, floor or wall coverings, sidings, ceilings, floors, furnishings, appliances or personal possessions. The inspector does not see inside walls, between floors, inside skillion roofing, behind stored goods in cupboards and other areas that are concealed or obstructed. The inspector did not dig, gouge, force or perform invasive procedures. Visible timbers were not destructively probed or hit. The inspection does not cover areas where access was denied or unavailable to the inspector or defects that may have been concealed or where the identification of a defect may be subject to the prevailing weather conditions or to patterns of use or occupancy of the property. It does not cover the presence or absence of timber pests; gas-fittings; common property areas; environmental concerns; the proximity of the property to flight paths, railways, or busy traffic; noise levels; health and safety issues; heritage concerns; security concerns; fire protection; seepage; swimming pools/spas; durability of exposed finishes; neighbourhood problems; document analysis; electrical installation; any matters that are regulated by statute. Where within the competency of the inspector and upon request, specific matters may be covered under the terms of a Special-purpose Property Report.

ASBESTOS: No inspection or testing for asbestos was done and no report on the presence or absence of asbestos is provided. If during the course of the Inspection asbestos or materials containing asbestos happened to be noticed it may be noted in the report. Buildings built prior to 1986 commonly have materials that contain asbestos and buildings built up until the early 90s may contain some asbestos. Where in any doubt, the material should be assumed to contain asbestos unless testing determines otherwise and you should consider obtaining advice from an asbestos expert. Sanding, drilling, cutting, removing sheeting or disturbing products containing Asbestos that results in releasing airborne asbestos fibres is a health risk.

MOULD: No inspection for mould was done and no report on the presence or absence of mould is provided. If in the course of the inspection, mould happened to be noticed it may be noted in the report. If you are concerned as to the possible health risk resulting from any mould you should seek advice from a relevant expert.

COSTING ADVICE: Australian Standard AS 4349.1 – 2007 excludes provision of costing advice. Any cost advice provided verbally or in this report must be taken as of a general nature and is not to be relied on. Actual costs depend on the quality of materials, standard of work, what price a contractor is prepared to do the work for and may be contingent on approvals, delays and unknown factors associated with third parties. Independent quotes should be obtained if a cost of defects is of significance in negotiations on the purchase of a property as well as prior to any work being done. No liability is accepted for costing advice.

DISPUTE/CLAIM PROCEDURE: To make a claim in relation to the inspection, either party shall give written notice of the matte to the other party within 90 days of the inspection. If the claim/dispute is not resolved within 21 days from the service of the written notice, either party may refer it to a mediator nominated by us and costs shall be shared. Should the dispute not be resolved by mediation then either party may refer it to the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators of Australia to appoint an arbitrator to resolve the claim. The arbitrator shall determine costs that each party is to pay.

THIRD PARTIES: We will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense whatsoever, suffered or incurred by anyone relying on this report other than the Client named on the face page of this report and only then if the invoice for the inspection has been paid in full.

Inspection Agreement

Pre-purchase Standard Inspection

Individual Title Property

Requirement for Inspection agreement Australian Standard 4349.1 – 2007 requires that an inspection agreement be entered into between the inspector & the client prior to the conduct of the inspection. This agreement sets out specific limitations on the scope of the inspection and on limits that apply in carrying it out. Where specific State or Territory requirements apply in addition to the scope of work in this agreement, or where the inspector and client agree to additional matters being covered, that additional scope is listed at the end of this agreement. It is assumed that the existing use of the building will continue.

AS 4349.1 – 2007 requires that the basis for comparison is a building of similar age and similar type to the subject building and which is in reasonable condition, having been adequately maintained over the life of the building. This means that building being inspected may not comply with Australian Standards, building regulations or specific state or territory requirements applicable at the time of the inspection.

Purpose of inspection

The purpose of the inspection is to provide advice regarding the condition of the property at the time of the inspection.

Access limitations

Areas where reasonable entry is denied to the inspector or where reasonable access is not available are excluded from and do not form part of the inspection. Access limitations may include legal right of entry, locked doors, security system, pets, furniture or other obstructions. Physical access limitations may include height, narrow boundary clearance, thick vegetation, small roof or crawl space and adverse weather conditions. The report shall identify any area or item within the scope of the inspection that was not inspected and the factor that prevented inspection.

The extent of accessible areas shall be determined by the inspector at the time of inspection based on the conditions encountered at that time. The inspection shall include only accessible areas and areas that are within the inspector’s line of sight and close enough to enable reasonable appraisal.

Reasonable access includes a prerequisite that the minimum clearances specified in the table below are safely available.

DIMENSIONS FOR REASONABLE ACCESS

Area Access hole Crawl space Height:

Roof Interior – 400mm x 500mm 600mm x 600mm Accessible from a 3.6m ladder

Roof exterior – Accessible from a 3.6m ladder placed on the ground

Sub Floor – 450mm x 600mm

NOTES:

1. Reasonable access does not include the cutting of access holes or the removal of screws and bolts or any other fastenings or sealants to access covers.
2. Sub-floor areas sprayed with chemicals are not be inspected unless it is safe to do so.

Conditions

An inspection report may be conditional on

• prevailing weather conditions or recent occupancy and use of services that might affect observations
• information provided by the client or the agents of the client
• deliberate concealment of defects
• any other relevant factor limiting the inspection

Scope of inspection

What is not reported on – general exclusions detailed in the standard AS 4349.1 – 2007

• Parts of a building that are under construction
• The inspection is not intended to include rigorous assessment of all building elements in a property
• Defects that would only be apparent under particular weather conditions or when using particular fittings & fixtures
• Defects not apparent due to occupancy or occupancy behavior eg non-use of a leaking shower
• The inspection report is not a certificate of compliance of the property within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance, local law or by-law and is not a warranty against problems developing with the building in the future
• Unauthorized building work or of work not compliant with building regulations
• Title and ownership matters, matters concerning easements, covenants, restrictions, zoning certificates and all other law-related matters
• Estimation of the cost of rectification of specific defects.

What is not reported on – specifics excluded by the standard AS 4349.1 – 2007

Footings below ground, concealed damp-proof course, electrical installations, operation of smoke detectors, light switches and fittings, TV, sound and communication and security systems, concealed plumbing, gas fittings and fixtures, air conditioning, automatic garage door mechanisms, swimming pools and associated filtration and similar equipment, the operation of fireplaces and solid fuel heaters, including chimneys and flues, alarm systems, intercom systems, soft floor coverings, electrical appliances including dishwashers, incinerators, ovens, ducted vacuum systems, paint coatings except external protective coatings, health hazards e.g., allergies, soil toxicity, lead content, radon, presence of asbestos or urea formaldehyde), timber and metal framing sizes and adequacy, concealed tie downs and bracing, timber pest activity, other mechanical or electrical equipment (such as gates, inclinators), soil conditions, control joints, sustainable development provisions, concealed framing-timbers or any areas concealed by wall linings or sidings, landscaping, rubbish, floor cover, furniture and accessories, stored items, insulation, environmental matters e.g. BASIX, water tanks, BCA environmental provisions, energy efficiency, lighting efficiency.

What is reported on

• The inspection includes subjective appraisal by an inspector competent to assess the condition of residential buildings. It involves a subjective assessment so different inspectors or even the same inspector on a different occasion may reach different conclusions.
• The inspection comprises a visual assessment of the property to identify major defects and to form an opinion regarding the general condition of the property at the time of inspection.
• The following areas shall be inspected where applicable:
• The interior of the building: ceilings; walls; floors; windows; doors & frames; kitchen; bathroom; WC; ensuite; laundry; stairs & damp problems
• The exterior of the building: walls (including lintels, claddings, doors & windows); timber or steel frames & structures; chimneys; stairs; balconies, verandas, patios, decks, suspended concrete floors, balustrades
• The roof exterior: roof (including tiles, shingles & slates, roof sheeting, gables, flashings); skylights, vents, flues; valleys; guttering; downpipes; eaves, fascias and barges
• The roof space: roof covering; roof framing; sarking; party walls; insulation
• The sub-floor space: timber floor (including supports, floor, ventilation, drainage, damp); suspended concrete floors
• The property within 30m of the house and within the boundaries of the site: car accommodation, detached laundry, ablution facilities and garden sheds; retaining walls (where supporting other structures and landscaping retaining walls > 700mm high); paths & driveways; steps; fencing (general & swimming pool) ; surface water (drainage effectiveness)