A lack of pre-purchase due diligence is a recipe for unwanted surprises. In this episode, Jason and I look at the importance of checking a property for maintenance defects BEFORE making an offer.

In this episode:

• Common non-structural building defects that aren’t covered by the REIWA Major Structural Defects clause.
• Damp related building defects. No, they’re not usually structural defects. 
• The impact of maintenance defects on property values.
• Tools and techniques for identifying common building defects that a layperson can use. 
• How knowing the defects up front will empower you to make a decision. 

About Jason Cotton

Jason Cotton has over 12 years of experience as a property inspector in WA. Jason is the founder and principal of Select Property Inspections and has completed over 7000 property inspections. He is a certified Building Surveyor.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:01 - Introduction

00:02:48 - Non Structural Defects

00:04:49 - Major Structural Defects

00:07:01 - Exclusions to Major Structural Defects

00:10:30 - Non-Structural Damp Issues

00:15:31 - Signs of Gutter Problems

00:16:55 - Importance of Knowing About Leaking Gutters

00:17:19 - Non-Structural Decorative Finishes

00:18:58 - General Maintenance and Fretting Mortar

00:23:38 - Ceilings as Maintenance and Safety Concerns

00:29:46 - Importance of Building Inspectors

00:30:56 - Understanding Moisture Meters

00:32:53 - Testing for Moisture in Showers

00:35:37 - The Role of power point (GPO) testing devices

00:38:25 - Limitations of Building Inspections