Tag Archive for: property inspection Victoria

Consumer Affairs Victoria will tell you that inspecting a property gives you insight into its features, condition, and the surrounding area. Before deciding to buy, it’s wise to visit the property multiple times. If you’re viewing several properties in one day, take notes to remember key details, and always ask the agent’s permission before taking photos.

Your first visit helps determine if the property meets your basic needs such as:

• Location

• Size

• Age

• Access to facilities

• Style

Subsequent visits allow you to spot repairs or potential structural issues, including:

• Sloping or bouncy floors indicating the need to replace stumps

• Damp brick walls suggesting rising or salt damp

• Blisters or bubbles in paintwork, a possible sign of termite activity

• Cracked walls, which may signal subsidence — large cracks should be assessed by a structural engineer

• Mouldy walls, peeling paint, or pools of water in wet areas indicating excess moisture

• Fretting (mortar falling out) pointing to serious structural concerns

• Sagging roofs or broken tiles that could require costly repairs

• Damaged or deteriorating asbestos-containing materials (for more info, visit Asbestos Victoria)

If the property has been renovated or extended, check the Section 32 statement and contact the local council to confirm if planning or building permits were obtained. Illegal alterations could become your responsibility after purchase.

Also, verify whether the property lies within a bushfire-prone zone by visiting Property and Land Titles. Sellers must disclose this information in the Section 32 statement if applicable.

Due Diligence Checklist

Sellers or their agents must provide a due diligence checklist to prospective buyers at open inspections. This checklist highlights issues like flood or fire risks, owners corporation details, and insurance coverage on renovations. You can view the checklist here.

Attending an Open for Inspection

Open inspection times are advertised in newspapers, online real estate portals, agency websites, or apps. If the scheduled time doesn’t work, ask the agent about arranging an alternative.

Agents may request your proof of identity and contact details for security, but it’s not a legal requirement. Some sellers, however, may require it as a condition of entry.

Professional Building and Pest Inspections with Diamond Property Inspections

Before signing any contract, it’s highly recommended to engage a qualified professional like Diamond Property Inspections for a thorough building inspection report. Registered practitioners can be found via the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

The cost of a professional inspection is minimal compared to potential repairs later. Experienced inspectors identify faults behind cosmetic fixes and provide you with a detailed report, which includes:

• Faults and defects

• Repairability

• Estimated repair costs

• Unsafe or unauthorised renovations/extensions

This report empowers you to negotiate price or contract terms or to plan future maintenance. Always ensure your chosen inspection service has full professional indemnity insurance to protect you if issues are missed.

Beware of inspection reports provided by sellers or agents—your independent report from Diamond Property Inspections guarantees accuracy and impartiality.

Additional Checks to Consider

• If the property was built before 1990, consider an asbestos assessment (Asbestos Victoria).

• A professional pest inspection is also crucial to detect termites or infestations.

By choosing Diamond Property Inspections, you get a trusted, comprehensive assessment helping you make a confident property purchase decision.