The Australian Standard for building inspections 4349.1 -2007 and timber pest inspections 4349.3 requires that every pre-purchase inspection has a pre-engagement agreement accepted by the home purchaser (or their solicitor/conveyancer/agent) before commencement of the inspection. To comply with the standard and insurers requirements, read the information below.
Section 1. Building Inspection Agreement.
SECTION 1
Building Inspection Pre-engagement Agreement
TYPE OF PROPOSED INSPECTION ORDERED BY YOU:
Pre-purchase Inspection & Report: The inspection will be of the Building Elements as outlined in Appendix C of AS4349.1-2007 except for Strata title properties where the inspection will be according to Appendix B of AS4349.1-2007.
A copy of the appropriate Standard with Appendices may be obtained from Standards Australia (www.saiglobal.com/shop) at Your cost.
Upon receipt of Your acceptance of this agreement, Inspector Homes WA will carry out the inspection and report ordered by You in accordance with this agreement and You agree to pay for the inspection and the report on or before delivery of the report.
In ordering the inspection, You agree that the inspection will be carried out in accordance with the following clauses, which define the scope and limitations of the inspection and the report.
SCOPE OF THE INSPECTION & THE REPORT
Service
As requested by the Client, the inspection carried by the Building Consultant (“the Consultant”) was a “Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Report”.
What will this report cover?
- This report will identify significant structural defects, minor defects and safety hazards associated with the property at the time of the inspection. No comment is made on areas of properties where “fair wear and tear” for age is evident and obviously expected.
- The overall condition of this building will be compared to similarly constructed and reasonably maintained buildings of approximately the same age
- The inspection will be a visual assessment of all safe and accessible areas and will include structures within 30 metres of the building and within the site boundaries including fences.
- Provided each of these areas are safe and have reasonable access the report will cover each of the following areas: –
- The interior
- The roof void
- The exterior
- The subfloor
- The roof exterior
Note.
Swimming Pools/Spas are not part of this building report as per AS 4349.1-2007. We recommend a pool expert should be consulted to examine the pool and the pool equipment and plumbing. However, the pool / spa safety aspects, which covers the standard for pool fencing, are included in this inspection.
All septic tank sewer systems and treatment plants should be inspected by a licensed plumber as this is not reported on in this Inspection Report
Plumbing, Electrical and Air conditioning items are a building inspector’s commentary based on experience only. Should you have concerns please consult the relevant licensed professional.
Limitation – What will this report not cover?
- This report will not include an estimate of the cost for fixing the Defects.
- This report will be conducted on a visual and non-invasive basis only.
- This report EXCLUDES areas that cannot be accessed or sections of the property which do not qualify for Safe and Reasonable Access (if such areas need to be inspected they will be reported separately once reasonable entry and access have been granted).
- The inspection and report compares the inspected building with a building constructed to the generally accepted practice at the time and which has been maintained, so there has been no significant loss of strength and permanence.
- The Inspection WILL NOT involve any invasive inspection ceiling sheeting, ducting, foliage, mouldings, debris, roof insulation, sarking, sisalation, floor or wall coverings, sidings, fixtures, floors, pavers, furnishings, appliances or personal possessions.
- The Inspection excludes the inside of walls, between floors, inside skillion roofing, inside the eaves, behind stored goods in cupboards, and other areas that are concealed or obstructed. The inspector WILL NOT dig, gouge, force or perform any other invasive procedures.
- The Report is not a Certificate of Compliance that the property complies with the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance, local law or by-law, or as a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the building in the future.
- The Inspection WILL NOT look for or report on Timber Pest Activity. You should have an inspection carried out in accordance with AS 4349.3-1998 Timber Pest Inspections, by a fully qualified, licensed and insured Timber Pest Inspector. If Timber Pest Damage is found it will be reported and you should then arrange for an inspection report by a fully qualified, licensed and insured Timber Pest Inspector.
- ASBESTOS: No inspection for asbestos will be carried out at the property and no report on the presence or absence of asbestos will be provided. If during the course of the Inspection asbestos or materials containing asbestos happened to be noticed then this may be noted in the general remarks section of the report. If asbestos is noted as present within the property then you agree to seek advice from a qualified asbestos removal expert as to the amount and importance of the asbestos present and the cost sealing or of removal.
- MOULD (MILDEW) AND NON-WOOD DECAY FUNGI DISCLAIMER: No inspection or report will be made for Mould (Mildew) and non-wood decay fungi.
- ESTIMATING DISCLAIMER: Any estimates provided in the Report are merely opinions of possible costs that could be encountered, based on the knowledge and experience of the inspector, and are not estimates in the sense of being a calculation of the likely costs to be incurred. The estimates are NOT a guarantee or quotation for work to be carried out. The inspector accepts no liability for any estimates provided throughout this report where they occur you agree to obtain and rely on independent quotations for the same work.
If the property to be inspected is occupied then you must be aware that furnishings or household items may be concealing evidence of problems, which may only be revealed when the items are moved or removed. Where the Report says the property is occupied and fully furnished you agree to:
- a) obtain a statement from the owner as to
– any Timber Pest activity or damage;
– timber repairs or other repairs
– alterations or other problems to the property known to them
– any other work carried out to the property including Timber Pest treatments
– obtain copies of any paperwork issued and the details of all work carried out
– indemnify the Inspector from any loss incurred by You relating to the items listed in
clause a) above where no such statement is obtained.
- The Inspection Will not cover or report the items listed in Appendix D to AS4349.1-2007.
- Where the property is a strata or similar title, only the interior and immediate exterior of the specified dwelling will be inspected. The inspection will be as outlined in AS 4349.1-2007 Appendix B. Therefore, it is advised that the client obtain an inspection of common areas prior to any decision to purchase.
- The Inspection and Report WILL NOT report on any defects which may not be apparent due to prevailing weather conditions at the time of the inspection. Such defects may only become apparent in differing weather conditions.
- You agree that We cannot accept any liability for Our failure to report a defect that was concealed by the owner of the building being inspected and You agree to indemnify Us for any failure to find such concealed defects.
- Where Our report recommends another type of inspection including an invasive inspection and report then You should have such an inspection carried out prior to the exchange of contracts or end of cooling-off period. If You fail to follow Our recommendations then You agree and accept that You may suffer a financial loss and indemnify Us against all losses that You incur resulting from Your failure to act on Our advice.
This will involve a separate visit to the site, permission from the owner of the property and additional cost - The Report is prepared and presented, unless stated otherwise, under the assumption that the existing use of the building will continue as a Residential Property.
- This report was produced for the use of the Client. The Consultant is not liable for any reliance placed on this report by any third party.
GENERALLY – Complaint Procedure
In the event of a dispute or a claim arising out of, or relating to the inspection or the report, or any alleged negligent act, error or omission on Our part or on the part of the inspector conducting the inspection, either party may give written notice of the dispute or claim to the other party. If the dispute is not resolved within fourteen (14) days from the service of the written notice then either party may refer the dispute or claim to an independent mediator. The cost shall be met equally by both parties or as agreed as part of the mediation settlement. Should the dispute or claim not be resolved by mediation then one or other of the parties may refer the dispute or claim to the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators of Australia who will appoint an Arbitrator who will resolve the dispute by arbitration. The Arbitrator will also determine what costs each of the parties are to pay.
In the event any litigation is brought as a result of the inspection and/or report, you indemnify us against any legal fees and expenses incurred where you have not first allowed Us the opportunity to visit the property to investigate the complaint and provide you with a written response within 28 days.
THIRD PARTY DISCLAIMER:
We will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense, whatsoever, suffered or incurred by any Person other than You in connection with the use of the Inspection Report provided pursuant to this agreement by that Person for any purpose or in any way, including the use of this report for any purpose connected with the sale, purchase, or use of the Property or the giving of security over the Property, to the extent permissible by law. The only Person to whom We may be liable and to whom losses arising in contract or tort sustained may be payable by Us is the Client named on the face page of the submitted Agreement Note: In the ACT under the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 and Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Regulations 2004 the report resulting from this inspection may be passed to the purchaser as part of the sale process providing it is carried out not more than three months prior to listing and is not more than six months old.
Prohibition on the Provision or Sale of the Report
The Report may not be sold or provided to any other Person without Our express written permission, unless the Client is authorised to do so by Legislation. If We give our permission it may be subject to conditions such as payment of a further fee by the other Person and agreement from the other Person to comply with this clause.
However, We may sell the Report to any other Person although there is no obligation for Us to do so.
Release
You release Us from any and all claims, actions, proceedings, judgments, damages, losses, interest, costsand expenses of whatever nature that the Person may have at any time hereafter arising from the unauthorised provision or sale of the Report by You to a Person without Our express written permission.
Indemnity
You indemnify Us in respect of any and all liability, including all claims, actions, proceedings, judgments, damages, losses, interest, costs and expenses of any nature, which may be incurred by, brought, made or recovered against Us arising directly or indirectly from the unauthorised provision or sale of the Report by You to a Person without Our express written permission.
DEFINITIONS:
You should read and understand the following definitions of words used in this Agreement and the Report.
This will help You understand what is involved in a property and building inspection, the difficulties faced by the inspector and the contents of the Report which We will provide You following the Inspection.
Acceptance Criteria: The Building shall be compared with a building that was constructed in accordance with the generally accepted practice at the time of construction and which has been maintained such that there has been no significant loss of strength and serviceability.
Access hole (cover) means an opening in the structure to allow for safe entry to carry out an inspection.
Accessible area means an area of the site where sufficient safe and reasonable access is available to allow inspection within the scope of the inspection.
Building Element means a portion of a building that, by itself or in combination with other such parts, fulfils a characteristic function.
Client means the person(s) or other legal entity for which the inspection is to be carried out. If ordered by the person(s)’s agent then it is agreed that the agent represents the person(s) and has the authority to act for and on their behalf. (See also “You/Your” below)
Defect means a fault or deviation from the intended condition of the material, assembly or component.
Inspector means the person or organisation responsible for carrying out the inspection. (See also
“Our/Us/We” below.)
Limitation means any factor that prevents full achievement of the purpose of the inspection.
Major defect means a defect of sufficient magnitude where rectification has to be carried out in order to avoid unsafe conditions, loss of utility or further deterioration of the property.
Minor defect means a defect other than a Major defect.
Person means any individual, company, partnership or association who is not a Client.
Property means the structures and boundaries etc. up to thirty (30m) metres from the exterior walls of the main building but within the boundaries of the land on which the main building is erected.
Report means the document and any attachments issued to You by the Us following Our inspection of the property.
Structural Inspection means the inspection shall comprise visual assessment of accessible areas of the property to identify major defects to the building structure and to form an opinion regarding the general condition of the structure of the property. The Report will not include those items noted in Clause A3 of AS 4349.1-2007 e.g. Condition of roof coverings, partition walls, cabinetry, doors, trims, fencing, minor structures, ceiling linings, windows, non-structural & serviceability damp issues, rising damp, condensation etc.
Safe and Reasonable Access does not include the use of destructive or invasive inspection methods or moving furniture or stored goods.
The Standard defines the extent of safe and reasonable access as follows:
“The extent of accessible areas shall be determined by the inspector at the time of inspection, based on the conditions encountered at the time of the inspection. The inspector shall also determine whether sufficient space is available to allow safe access. The inspection shall include only accessible areas and areas that are within the inspector’s line of sight and close enough to enable reasonable appraisal.”
It also defines access to areas as defined in the Table below.
Access Table 3.2 from AS 4349.1-2007
Table Notes:
- Reasonable access does not include the cutting of access holes or the removal of screws and bolts or any other fastenings or sealants to access covers. Sub floor areas sprayed with Chemicals should not be inspected unless it is safe to do so.
Our/Us/We means the provider Inspector Homes WA and/or the Inspector. You/Your means the party identified on this agreement as the Client, and where more than one party all such parties jointly and severally, together with any agent of that party.
You agree that by accepting this agreement, You have read and understand the contents of this agreement and that the inspection will be carried out in accordance with this document. You agree to pay for the inspection on or before delivery of the report.
If You fail to cancel the requested inspection before the notified appointed inspection date then You agree that You have read and understand the contents of this agreement and that We will carry out the inspection on the basis of this agreement and that We can rely on this agreement.
Note: Additional inspection requirements requested by You may incur additional expense in regard to the cost of the inspection.
Are there Special Requirements / Conditions requested by the Client/Client’s Representative regarding the Inspection and Report: Refer to the order submission.
Cost of the Report including any requested Special Requirements/Conditions: As quoted
Disclaimer
- Your decision to proceed with the purchase is made by your own volition. This report makes no judgement on value or your personal circumstances.
- Older buildings often do not comply with current building, plumbing, gas and electrical codes, but may have complied at the time this work was carried out. Observations made may reflect items needing attention to prevent harm or damage to the structure.
- No comment is made on areas of properties where “fair wear and tear” for age is evident and obviously expected.
- Structural members covered by the building’s cladding cannot be inspected; comment can only be made where these members affect the cladding fabric. Insulation and ducting in roof spaces often obscures framing; inspection can only be made of visible areas.
- We will not arbitrate responsibility on any remarks or cost of rectification requirements noted in the report resulting from the inspection.
- Below ground conditions are not considered except where failure of the structure is evident.
- This report is deemed to satisfy AS4349.1 – 2007 “Inspection of Buildings” The Standard seeks to provide an appropriate balance between reliability of outcomes, economic constraints and the flexibility required to address numerous different types of residential building. The inspection is not intended to include rigorous assessment of all building elements in a property.
- This report is copyright, it remains the property of the author and may be disseminated at his discretion. Third parties using this report do so at their own risk.
- We are unable to determine whether all or any part of the structures on the property are fully approved by all authorities. Local government (Councils) are generally reluctant to discuss such matters with persons other than the title holder.
PRIVACY POLICY
Commitment to your privacy
INSPECTOR HOMES WA, (‘we’, ‘our’, ’us’) is bound by the National Privacy Principles, and from March 2014, the Australian Privacy Principles, under the Privacy Act and we are committed to ensuring the privacy of the information our members and other individuals provide to us. We understand that your personal information, and how we use it, is very important to you. The following statement reflects our policy in relation to the personal information that we collect. However, if you have any further questions relating to this privacy policy, please do not hesitate to contact our privacy officer (contact details below).
Our privacy policy
We will:
1. not collect personal information unless we consider it necessary for us to provide services
2. not use or disclose personal information about an individual for a purpose other than:
1. the purpose for which it was collected
2. a related purpose (or, in the case of sensitive information, a “directly related” purpose) which the individual would reasonably expect
3. a purpose required or permitted by law
4. a purpose for which we have obtained the consent of the individual
3. take all reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate and up to date
4. take all reasonable steps to protect and safeguard the personal information we collect
5. make available our policies on our management of personal information
6. provide individuals with access to their personal information that we hold, except where we are required or entitled by law to refuse access
When do we collect personal information?
We will only collect personal information if it is necessary for us to do so. Situations in which we may collect personal information include but are not limited to:
1. when processing membership application forms and any subsequent amendments to members’ details
2. when dealing with any request or application for products or services
3. in connection with suppliers in respect of services and/or products that may be supplied to members or other individuals
4. when presenting seminars, conducting workshops or other functions
5. when dealing with certain government agencies
6. when required by law
7. when dealing with individuals who contact us regarding our activities or the activities of our members (?)
Personal information may include sensitive information as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (for example, religious beliefs, health status, ethnic origins, membership of a trade or professional association). If so, then we will apply the National Privacy Principles, and from March 2014, the Australian Privacy Principles, required to that type of information.
Ways in which we collect personal information
We collect personal information in person, in writing, by telephone, through our website and through other methods of communication with our members and other individuals we deal with.
Our members provide personal information to us when they apply for or renew membership.
Sometimes we may need to collect personal information from third parties in relation to membership applications or renewals, in the course of carrying out our responsibilities, ensuring that information that we have been given is correct.
These third parties may include:
1. Estate Agents
2. Settlement Agents
3. Referral Partners
4. Statutory bodies and other government agencies and instrumentalities
In each case, we will treat personal information we collect in accordance with the principles set out above.
What do we use personal information for?
We use personal information to produce reports on our services, maintain membership records, provide information and enable members and other individuals to receive the services and benefits available to members of the Inspector Homes WA Rewards Scheme and to conduct research in order to identify and analyse the ongoing needs of members. In addition, to satisfy regulatory requirements, we use personal information to carry out administrative tasks and manage our members’ and other individuals’ rights and obligations in relation to external obligations and statutory obligations as required.
Disclosure of personal information to third parties
We may disclose your personal information to third parties. These may include our agents, our contractors (including organisations used by us, such as cloud data storage contractors, to store information in an electronic format), insurers, advisors, your agents, your contractors, members’ employers and other entities, which it is reasonable to expect that information would be provided in the course of or incidental to the provision of products and/or services by us. We will only do so in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and our policy.
When we collect personal information
We will take reasonable steps at or before the time we collect personal information from an individual, to ensure that individual is aware of:
1. who we are and our full contact details
2. the fact that person is able to gain access to the personal information that we collect and seek the correction of such information
3. the purposes for which the personal information is collected
4. the organisations (or types of organisations) we will usually disclose or transfer that personal information to
5. whether it is likely that we will disclose information to overseas recipients and if so, where
6. any law which requires us to collect the personal information
7. the main consequences (if any) if all (or part) of the personal information requested by us is not provided
However, there are circumstances where we are not required to do so.
Access to your personal information
Requests for access to your personal information should be made in writing to our privacy officer.
If you request, then in most circumstances we will make available to you the personal information about you that we have collected. In certain circumstances we might not allow you access to your personal information. These circumstances include, where:
- it would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others
2. the information relates to legal proceedings with you
3. the information would reveal our commercially sensitive decision-making process
4. providing access to the information would prejudice certain investigations
5. we are required by law not to disclose the information. This includes duties we may have under common law
We will respond to a request for access to information as a priority and will seek to do so within a maximum of 10 days.
We will not charge you for requesting access to your own personal information.
What to do if you believe the information we hold about you is inaccurate
If you believe that any information that we hold about you is inaccurate or out of date, please contact us and we will review and update the relevant information.
Change in our privacy policy
We will review this privacy policy from time to time and inform members and other individuals of any changes to this policy by placing the revised policy on our internet site.
If you are dissatisfied with the manner in which we use your personal information
We want always to improve our systems and procedures to give you full confidence in our ability to respect and safeguard the privacy of the personal information you provide to us. If we have not fulfilled our commitment to you, please tell us by contacting our privacy officer.
Contact Details
The Privacy Officer
Phil Grahn
5 Tillia Court, Forrestfield
Mobile: 0429 001 080
Email: info@inspectorhomeswa.com.au
