Building Visual Handover Inspection Report
Building Visual Handover Inspection Report
Complies with Australian Standard AS 4349 -2007 Inspection of Buildings Part 1: Pre-Purchase
Inspections - Residential Buildings - Appendix "C"
BRISBANE
If you have any queries or require any clarification with this report, please feel free to
contact the Inspector [Compass Building & Pest Inspections]. [Acc #]. QBCC Licence Number: 1281348.
ABN: 87 169 916 367 Compass Building & Pest South Pty Ltd Phone (07) 3267 6744
THIS IS A VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH AS4349.1-2007 and QBCC Standards and Tolerances
Guide 2016.
This visual inspection is limited to those areas and sections of the property fully accessible and visible to the Inspector at the time
and on the date of Inspection. The inspection DID NOT include breaking apart, dismantling, removing or moving objects
including, but not limited to, foliage, mouldings, roof insulation/sarking membrane , floor or wall coverings, ceilings, floors,
furnishings, appliances or personal possessions. The Inspector CANNOT see inside walls, between floors, inside skillion roofing,
inside the eaves, behind stored goods in cupboards, or other areas that are concealed or obstructed. The inspector DID NOT
dig, gouge, force or perform any invasive procedures. In an occupied property it must be understood that furnishings or
household items may conceal defects which may only be revealed when the items are removed. No detailed inspection is
inferred to external areas over 3.6 metres above the natural ground level.
The following information is very important and forms an integral part of this report.
The client should read and understand the following important information. It will help explain what is involved in a Property
Inspection, the difficulties faced by an inspector and why it is not possible to guarantee that a property is free of defects, latent or
otherwise. This information forms an integral part of the report.
Property Description:
Building Tenancy Unoccupied. Note where a building is unoccupied various obstructions are
still present, eg curtains, floor coverings etc. Please read report in full
Summary of Areas Inspected: Roof, Roof void, Internal area, Garage, External area, Site.
Comments from Inspector.
EXTERNAL
A comment is not made where access was unable to be gained. Damage and or defects may be present and not detected in
areas where inspection was limited, obstructed or access was not gained. If restrictions are noted we recommend access be
gained to enable a full inspection inaccessible areas.
External Walls:
Inspection Limitations:
Restrictions: Floor coverings were present and restricted inspection to the upperside of
flooring.
Location/area:
BATHROOMS
Main Bathroom:
Ensuite Bathroom:
KITCHEN
Kitchen:
TOILETS
Toilet:
GARAGING
A comment is not made where access was unable to be gained internally. Damage and or defects may be present and not
detected in areas where inspection was limited, obstructed or access was not gained. If restrictions are noted we recommend
access be gained to enable a full inspection inaccessible areas.
Garaging
Additional Comments This report is limited to the agreed service requested. For all aspects
pertaining to the property, you will require consultation with relevant experts
prior to settlement. These aspects may include but are not limited to Fire
and Segregation, Egress, Disabled access, Plumbing, Electrical, Structural,
Licensing, Town Planning, Occupational Health and Safety, Regulatory
compliance.
Note: The areas listed above are a broad indication of the areas inspected. Within these areas, some further restrictions may
have been present restricting or preventing our inspection. If any recommendation has been made within this report to gain
access to areas, gain further access to areas, or any area has been noted as being at "High Risk" due to limited access then
further access must be gained. We strongly recommend that such access be gained to enable a more complete report to be
submitted.
LIMITATIONS
Nothing contained in the Report implies that any inaccessible or partly inaccessible area(s) or section(s) of the property being
inspected by the Inspector on the date of the inspection were free from defects latent or otherwise.
No responsibility can be accepted for defects which are latent or otherwise not reasonably detected on a visual inspection without
interference with or removal of any of the structure including fixtures or fittings within the building.
This Property Report does not contain any assessment or opinion in relation to any item, which is the subject of a Special
Purpose Property Report (as defined in AS4349.1), or any matter where the inspection or assessment of which is solely
regulated by Statute. Special Purpose Property Reports include comment on the following: Common property areas,
environmental concerns such as sunlight, privacy, streets cape and views. Proximity of property to flight paths, railways and
busy traffic or other neighborhood issues. Noise levels, health and safety issues including the presence of asbestos or lead.
Heritage concerns. Security or fire protection. Analysis of site drainage apart from surface water drainage. Retaining walls over
700mm in height. Swimming pools and spas. Detection and identification of illegal and unauthorized building works, electrical
and plumbing work. Durability of exposed timbers and finishes.
Photographic evidence taken on the day of inspection is given as an example of the defects found to the property for reporting
purposes only. These photos within the report are to assist, and may not show all the defects and/or the areas noted on the day
of inspection.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Any person who relies upon the contents of this Report does so acknowledging that the above clauses, definitions and
disclaimers that follow define the Scope and Limitations of the inspection and form an integral part of the report.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: No liability shall be accepted on account of failure of the Report to notify any problems in any
area(s) or section(s) of the subject property physically inaccessible for inspection, or to which access for Inspection is denied by
or to the Inspector (including but not limited to any area(s) or section(s) so specified by the Report.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES: Compensation will only be payable for losses arising in the contract or tort
sustained by the Client named on the front of this report. Any third party acting or relying on this Report, in whole or in part, does
so entirely at their own risk. However, if ordered by a Real Estate Agent or a Vendor for the purpose of auctioning a property then
the Inspection Report may be ordered up to (7) days prior to the auction, copies may be given out prior to the auction and the
Report will have a life of 14 days during which time it may be transferred to the purchaser. Providing the purchaser agrees to the
terms of this agreement then they may rely on the report subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement and the Report
itself.
REPORT DEFINITION
This report is limited to a visual inspection of areas where reasonable access is available at the time of inspection. It does not
purport to be geological as to foundation integrity or soil conditions, engineering as to structural, nor does it cover the condition of
electrical, plumbing, gas or motorised appliances. It is recommended that an appropriately qualified contractor check these
services.
As a matter of course, and in the interests of safety, the property should have an electrical report carried out by a suitably
qualified contractor.
The building shall be compared with a building that was constructed in accordance with the generally accepted practice at the
time of construction and according to its age and level of maintenance noted to building elements. This inspection and report is
not to be considered all encompassing dealing with a building from every aspect. Rather it should be seen as a reasonable
attempt to identify any obvious or significant defects apparent at the time of the inspection. Whether or not a defect is
considered significant or not, depends, to a large extent, upon the age and type of the building inspected, eg. significant loss of
strength and/or serviceability has occurred. If this is required, a Special Purpose Property Report is recommended. It is
unrealistic to expect comment on minor defects or imperfections in a Building Elements Report
All items that are considered to be concealed or latent defects are excluded.
Shower Recesses: Tests may be made on shower recesses to detect leaks (if water is connected). The tests may not reveal
leaks or show incorrect waterproofing if silicone liquid or masonry sealant has been applied prior to the inspection. Such
application is a temporary waterproofing measure and may last for some months before breaking down. The tests on shower
recesses are limited to running water within the recesses and visually checking for leaks. As showers are only checked for a
short period of time, prolonged use may reveal leaks that were not detected at the time of inspection. No evidence of a current
leak during inspection does not necessarily mean that the shower does not leak.
Glass Caution: Glazing in older houses (built before 1978) may not necessarily comply with current glass safety standards
AS1288. In the interests of safety, glass panes in doors and windows especially in trafficable areas should be replaced with
safety glass or have shatterproof film installed unless they already comply with the current standard.
Stairs & Balustrades: Specifications have been laid down by the Australian Building Code - Section 3.9 covering stairs,
landings and balustrades to ensure the safety of all occupants and visitors in a building. Many balustrades and stairs built before
1996 may not comply with the current standard. It is Strongly recommended to upgrade all such items to the current standard to
improve safety.
Swimming Pools: If a swimming pool/ spas are present it should be the subject of a Special Purpose Property Report as pool/
spa inspections are not part of a building elements inspection in accordance with AS4349.1-2007. A detailed inspection on the
status or serviceability of any swimming pool or associated pool equipment has not been carried out and is not within the scope
of this report. Recommend a pool expert to carry out this inspection. Additionally, to adequately inspect a swimming pool, the
water must be completely drained and all internal surfaces must be fully accessible. Pool safety laws, new pool laws state that a
Pool Safety Certificate is required for houses, townhouse and units etc. (class 1-4 buildings). For more information
www.qld.gov.au/poolsafety
This report may contain notable observations, together with what is considered to be helpful information and advice.
This report does not identify timber-destroying pests. A timber pest inspection report should be obtained from a qualified timber
pest inspector.
If any cost of work estimates are given, these are merely opinions and should be taken as a general guide only. In the building
industry, experience has shown that prices vary considerably and you must obtain independent quotations on any significant
notable item from several contractors prior to purchase.
The operation of fireplaces, chimneys, alarm systems, intercom systems, electrical and mechanical appliances, air conditioning
systems, and residual current devices have not been tested and are the subject of a Special Purpose Property Report. Should
you require an inspection to be carried out on any item not specifically covered by this report, please request a Special Purpose
Property Report on the specific item required.
No report is made on the presence, operation, installation or cabling of any free to air or pay television system.
Rooms below ground level or underneath part or all of a building: If there are any rooms under the house or below ground
level (whether they be habitable or non-habitable rooms), these may be subject to dampness and water penetration. Drains are
not always installed correctly or could be blocked. It is common to have damp problems, water entry and ventilation
inadequacies to these types of rooms, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and this may not be evident upon initial
inspection. These rooms may not have council approval. The purchaser should make their own enquires with the Council to
ascertain if approval was given.
Where the property is covered by an Owners Corporation (Strata Title), we strongly recommend that an Owners Corporation
search be conducted to ascertain the financial position, the level of maintenance and any other relevant information available
through the conduct of such an inspection.
4.0 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this inspection, the following definitions apply.
4.1 Above Average - The overall condition is above the consistent with buildings and building elements, of approximately the
same age and type of construction. Most items and areas show high standard of workmanship when compared with other
buildings of similar age and construction.
4.1.1 Good - The item or area inspected appears to be in sound and serviceable condition without any significant visible defects.
4.1.2 Minor Defect - Any defect other than what is described as a major or moderate defect.
4.2 Typical/ Average - The overall condition is consistent with the Inspector's expectations e.g., due to age, some minor
defects, minor damage, deterioration in form of rusting, water damage, wear & tear, warping, twisting and operational defects etc.
There will be areas or items requiring some repairs or maintenance.
4.2.1 Fair - The item or area inspected appears serviceable, but exhibits some minor defects, minor damage, deterioration in
form of rusting, water damage, aging, wear & tear, warping, twisting and operational defects etc, and may require some repairs or
maintenance to prevent further deterioration.
4.2.2 Moderate Defect - A defect requiring further investigation into the significance of the defect, some repairs and
maintenance is required to prevent further deterioration.
4.4 Minor - Damage that is surface damage only and does not appear to require any replacement to be carried out.
4.5 Moderate - Damage that is more than surface damage and is likely to require some superficial repairs to be carried out.
4.6 Severe - Damage that appears to be significant and the integrity or serviceability of the building element may be impaired.
Note: Timber Damage - Where this report includes comments in relation to the severity of timber damage. It is essential that
any timber damage be referred to a suitably qualified building professional and obtain a special purpose building report relating
to the extent and cause of the timber damage. The full extent of damage may only be revealed by invasive inspection methods
including probing and the removal of lining materials. This type of invasive inspection has not been carried out and you should
understand that the extent and/or severity of timber damage may be found to increase significantly on such an invasive
inspection. The references contained within this report that may refer to the extent of timber damage have only been included to
assist in determining treatment specifications and not to quantify the damage and must not be relied upon to determine the costs
of repair or replacement.
4.12 Consumer Complaints Procedure: In the event of any dispute or claim arising out of, or relating to the Inspection or the
Report, You must notify Us as soon as possible of the dispute or claim by email, fax or mail. You must allow Us (which includes
persons nominated by Us) to visit the property (which visit must occur within twenty eight (28) days of your notification to Us) and
give Us full access in order that We may fully investigate the complaint. You will be provided with a written response to your
dispute or claim within twenty eight (28) days of the date of the inspection. If You are not satisfied with our response You must
within twenty one (21) days of Your receipt of Our written response refer the matter to a Mediator nominated by Us from the
Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators of Australia. The cost of the Mediator will be borne equally by both parties or as agreed as
part of the mediated settlement. In the event You do not comply with the above Complaints Procedure and commence litigation
against Us then You agree to fully indemnify Us against any awards, costs, legal fees and expenses incurred by Us in having
your litigation set aside or adjourned to permit the foregoing Complaints Procedure to complete.