Pre-Settlement Inspections are Critical

You viewed the property, you purchased & contracts have exchanged.   You’re excited to soon have a place to call your own…..but one aspect not to be taken lightly is attending a pre-settlement inspection.

Buying a new home is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make which is why it is so important to ensure that the vendor is adhering to their end of the contract.    You as buyer are entitled to take possession of the property at settlement knowing it is in the same or better condition than when it was initially inspected and as per the contract.

This includes goods and chattels.   All items to be sold with the property are listed on the contract, and should still be at the property when you do your pre-purchase inspection eg. garden shed, dishwasher, pool equipment, to name a few.

A pre-purchase inspection covers more than just the appearance of the property.    It also ensures that all features of the property are presented  in good working order.  This includes checking that appliances are working ie. oven, stove, dishwasher, air conditioners, pool filters, etc.      Other items to check are whether toilets flush, taps flow and sinks & drains are working and there are no blockages.    This will require you actually turning on the appliances, flushing the loo and turning on all taps.

Door & window locks should work, and if key lockable, keys provided.  Smoke detectors should work. Test them.

Sometimes, not all items that you viewed at the property at inspection will be sold with the property.   These should have been clearly noted as not included on the contract ie. garden ornaments, shelving in garages to name a few.

Before you approve your legal representative to attend to the settlement, a pre-settlement inspection, conducted with your agent and  ideally completed on the morning of settlement,  is critical.     If the property falls short of the conditions listed on the contract you are within your rights to seek compensation from the seller, and your agent and legal representative will sort these for you.