Pre-settlement Inspection

[Missile]

Doing the final inspection on a property which I have all but purchased. Have made a checklist of what I'm going to check whilst there, ehich covers everything obvious. but just thought that I'd throw the question out there to see if I have overlooked anything?

What is worth checking over? Anything out of the norm that you picked up whilst doing your own inspection?

Unimportant background info:
2008 built home, currently tenanted until Oct this year.

Cheers

[SimonR32]

Full Timber Pest Inspection and Building inspection already done?

[RGVFAST]

Be careful on how you word the contract. A mate got stung due to the contract stating the purchase was dependant on a structural integrity report.

The house ended up being structurally sound, but had a bunch of other issues that were going to cost money. He still had to purchase the property given that the contract stated only structural problems were the concern

[Missile]

Pest inspection is booked in for tomorrow at the same time as well, simply to reduce annoyance to the tenants. I will be doing the building inspection myself.

AFAIK, all standard contracts will only cover structural defects. When you purchase a previously occupied house, your are agreeing to purchase it in the as/is condition (so that includes any aesthetically damage - unless it wasn't present when you first looked at the property). Final inspection will warrant you for things like electrical,gas, plumbing, HVAC etc (e.g. all the stuff that you dont generally look at when walking through a house during a home open).

RGVFAST - what issues did your mate have?

[Joe]

Make the contract conditional on a full inspection for the purposes of uncovering any defects, which are to be rectified by the vendor.

Not sure how that'll sit with them, but it covers all.. and you can tone it down a bit by saying "significant defects" or "defects excluding wear and tear" if you want to.

[RGVFAST]

I think the issues were non council approval structures and modfications to the property. The engineer/inspector stated they were structually sound, but getting retrospective council approval was going to be near on impossible from what i was told.

I would do as Joe suggest. Dont use the stock standard contract, Real Estate agents can be pretty underhanded. The contract will almost always favour the seller.

[AGIT8D]

I think the issues were non council approval structures and modfications to the property. The engineer/inspector stated they were structually sound, but getting retrospective council approval was going to be near on impossible from what i was told.

I would do as Joe suggest. Dont use the stock standard contract, Real Estate agents can be pretty underhanded. The contract will almost always favour the seller.

That was noted on my contract when I purchased my house. Patio was not approved by the council (ie: it had not been lodged to council for approval) and I signed saying that I was aware of this and happy to still purchase.

[jonn]

If your doing the final inspection the contract would have been signed along time ago prior to finance application so it's too late to add terms in if they haven't been stated already.
Final inspection is to make sure what was stated on the Offer & Acceptance is still there (dishwasher, a/c etc). I know it sounds dumb but check all the plumbing, hot water system etc for leaks and electrical items.

Ask the tenants if anything is wrong as well. They have been living in the place and are usually the first ones to complain about something.

[RGVFAST]

Sorry i didnt read it was the final inspection.

[Missile]

If your doing the final inspection the contract would have been signed along time ago prior to finance application so it's too late to add terms in if they haven't been stated already.
Final inspection is to make sure what was stated on the Offer & Acceptance is still there (dishwasher, a/c etc). I know it sounds dumb but check all the plumbing, hot water system etc for leaks and electrical items.

Ask the tenants if anything is wrong as well. They have been living in the place and are usually the first ones to complain about something.

Bang on. Contract offer and acceptance is signed, and have covered arse to a certain degree with a protection clause!

I am hoping that the tenants are there tomorrow for that reason, but I am doubting it as they are FIFO workers. But they are the exact things that I am chasing Jonn - things to check that I may have left off my list, regardless of how stupid they may seem.

I have been trying to get a hold of the leasing agents property condition report (as this may supply some clues to anything which is wrong) - the leasing agent will not give me a copy as I am not the owner of the property (fair enough), however the owner of the property does not have a copy they can send. AFAIK, I am entitled to this document prior to settlement.

[miksta]

I don't think it would be unreasonable to ask the owner to request a copy of the PCR from the leasing agent. I would definately be paying close attention to anything that was wrong and has been rectified to make sure that things were fixed to a decent standard.

[Eratic]

Check to make sure every light switch works. If there are empty globes could mean that the fitting doesnt work, so maybe swap some around to check. Don't forget the outside lights aswell.
Check all taps etc. Check for hot water.
Check the gas stove works, lights with the button etc.
Check the overhead fan/light/exhaust for the stove.
Check light in the oven.
If there is a pool get someone to show you how it works.
If you want to be super-padantic take something electrical and check all the empty wall sockets... :P