The Importance Of Council File Assessments

It is important to ask your conveyancer whether they are able to be confident that the home you are purchasing is fully approved and constructed in accordance with the Council held plans.

Without setting foot in the home, this is not possible.

At SCPI, all pre-purchase residential building inspection reports issued within the Bega Valley include a property file inspection.

After the on-site building inspection occurs, our inspectors assess the detail Council hold on the property, ensuring that all structures (the home, all additions, any detached buildings, all shedding, decks and retaining walls) are approved and that they are constructed in accordance with the plans held at Council.

Unapproved works are routinely identified in the course of these assessments, as are non- compliances with Council held plans.

Unidentified, unapproved works or variations to plan leave the home buyer at risk of future Council action.

This liability transfers with the property in the sale process and, if not identified it becomes the responsibility of the new owner.

Ensure you protect your investment with a Sapphire Coast Property Inspection Council File Assessment prior to purchase.

The Importance Of Pre-Purchase Pest Inspections

Termite activity in our area presents an imminent threat to any timber framed home and all out structures to yards including timber retaining walls and fencing.

Termite damage is often concealed behind wall , ceiling and floor linings and is usually difficult to detect.

Seemingly minor damage, exposed in an isolated location in the home has the potential to be the “tip of the iceberg”, with substantial hidden damage to floor and wall frames and roof members identified on a regular basis.

Damage to retaining walls and /perimeter fencing to gardens is also prevalent in the Bega Valley.

This damage has the potential to cost the home owner dearly with significant repairs often required.

It is strongly recommended that all property purchases combine a pre-purchase pest inspection assessment in conjunction with the building/structural assessment as there is no insurance that will cover against damage caused by termite penetration.


Failure Of Waterproofing Membranes

One of the most common defects in residential dwellings is structural damage to floor and wall framing due to leaking caused by the failure of waterproofing membranes beneath tiled floor/deck surfaces.

The damage caused is usually located around and below bathrooms (shower recess’ in particular), laundry’s and exposed tiled deck surfaces which are constructed on timber floor frames.

Such failures are often difficult to detect and visible only from hard to reach subfloor voids.

Failure to identify such defects prior to the purchase of a home will leave the buyer at risk of having to carry out major renovation works to address the leaking and subsequent dry rot deterioration to surrounding timber framework.