Is Your New Apartment Really Ready to Hand Over?
Buying a new Apartment can be an exciting adventure! However, it can also be daunting and finding issues, defects or even damage before settlement is critical. Undertaking an Apartment Building Inspection will provide comfort and certainty about your purchase. Purchasing an Apartment is similar to purchasing a residential property. However, there are also additional complexities to consider. For example, parking and store areas that are in different parts of the building and common areas that you do not directly control but are required financially to contribute to maintain.
Don’t Assume Your Apartment has Been Built Correctly!
Don’t simply assume that your new apartment has been built correctly. Everything may look good and in all likelihood appliances and fixtures will operate as expected. But when you have a Professional Building Inspection done, you may be surprised by the outcome. We undertake many apartment building inspections both old and new, and can categorically testify that even the most expensive apartments can still have significant defects. The range of defects may depend on the type of Apartment. Is the apartment old or new? Is it ground floor and/or are there other units above or below? Does it have underground parking? How was the apartment constructed? There are many things to consider.
Apartment Building Inspections are Extensive
Whether you are purchasing a brand new or older apartment, apart from wear and tear, the issue and anxiety caused by building defects are the same. The best option you have to ensure clarity on the condition of your new apartment is to undertake an Apartment Building Inspection Apartment building inspections are extensive and are not limited to the structural components/adequacy. We can check over 150 items in an average 2 bedroom apartment. They not only include the condition and operation of appliances. But also fittings and fixtures (plumbing, cabinetry and tiling) as well as external parking and stores. Our team of inspectors are all registered builders who know how apartments are built and what areas are prone to significant issues.
Registered Builders
We recently undertook an inspection at a brand new “Exclusive” apartment and found over 50 defects! Whilst many were minor and easy to fix, a number were significant and would have caused a significant impact resulting in costly repairs for the buyer.
Minor damage to window frame (far left). Not significant in isolation, but this “damage” will need to be repaired at your cost if not detailed prior to settlement. Brand new “EXCLUSIVE” apartment complex with underground parking (above right). If your parking bay happens to be under a water leak the corrosive discharge it may result in damage to your car.
Existing / older apartment complex with underground parking (above left and right). Internal water leaks account for one of the largest percentage of defects in apartment developments.
In the “Exclusive” apartment complex, we inspected the main ensuite. The tiling finish itself was to a high standard at first appearance. However, when we checked the shower floor drainage, this significant issue was found. The drainage to both the shower and main floor were negligible (close to being level). When the shower was tested, water immediately began flooding out of the shower area. And if the water was left on, it would have flooded out of ensuite itself and into the carpeted bedroom. This repair would be major, removing plumbing fixtures, shower screens, including ripping up all tiles, re-screeding floor, re-waterproofing and then re-tiling. Certainly not something you would want to happen in YOUR new apartment!
Main ensuite shower recess. Designed with no hob or drop down to contain water.
The fall to drains in both the shower and Ensuite, in general, were less than 10% of what they should be. The outcome from this defect could have been a completely flooded apartment. As well as damage to the apartment below.
We also recommend if you are buying an older or established apartment you request to see the most recent AGM meeting minutes, existing maintenance plan and Sinking Fund Forecast if available. The Strata Manager will have this information. This information will help you understand any existing issues, and what future expenses you as a unit holder may be liable for.
What to do now
If you require any of the above Apartment Building Inspection Services or other related inspection/approval services please click here or phone Anne on 08 6184 5624.
