What Does Subject To Building and Pest Inspection Mean
It's there to help you make an informed decision
In Queensland, having a contract of sale subject to a building and pest inspection is common. In fact, more often, it’s mandatory. This is to protect the buyer’s interests and ensure you are fully aware of the condition of the property prior to purchase.
After settlement, any issues with the property become the new owner’s responsibility. For this reason, you want to know exactly what you’re purchasing before you unintentionally inherit a home full of problems.
The meaning of subject to building and pest inspection
"Subject to building and pest inspection" is a condition that may be included in a contract when buying or selling a property.
This condition means that the sale of the property is dependent on the outcome of a building and pest inspection. The buyer has the right to conduct an inspection of the property before the sale is finalized. If any significant issues are found during the inspection, the buyer can request that the issues are addressed or negotiate the price of the property accordingly.
In short, "subject to building and pest inspection" means that the sale of the property depends on the property passing a thorough inspection by a qualified inspector.
What does the building and pest inspection look for?
A building and pest inspection is a combined visual assessment of a property to determine its current condition. The building inspection looks for major and minor building defects, safety hazards and other issues that may affect the livability of the property. This can include items like major cracks in walls, poor subfloor conditions, nail popping and much more.
The timber pest inspection looks for any evidence of termite activity and damage. This is particularly important as termite damage can be costly to repair and is generally not covered under house insurance.
During the inspection, a thermal imaging camera and moisture meter are also used to check for anomalies that may not be visible to the human eye. Such as, high moisture readings and abnormal heat patterns which can indicate termite activity.
Limitations of a building and pest inspection
It’s important to remember that the inspection and report are a snapshot of the condition of the property on the day. Some problems may only be discovered by living in the property and won’t be apparent during the inspection, especially if the seller has gone to lengths to hide defects. This can sometimes be the case for leaking showers or hidden termite damage.
For example, if a property is vacant when the property is inspected there will be no signs of a leaking shower. However, once a buyer or tenant moves into the property and begins using the shower, it will become evident.
Likewise, if there are stored items within a wardrobe during the inspection, the inspector won’t be able to check behind them. Then, if the new owner moves in and decides to renovate the wardrobe, hidden issues or termite damage may become apparent once the plasterboard is removed.
In addition, certain items cannot be checked by a building and pest inspector under Australian Standards. As these items are outside of their scope of expertise and qualifications. You can find out more about that here.
Book an inspection today
At Dedant, our inspectors are fully licensed and highly experienced to carry out Building and Pest Inspections.
We have been providing building and pest inspections to the Brisbane, Redland Bay, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Logan area since 2009.
If would like to book or have any questions, contact us on 07 3807 0122 or via our website.
