For immediate release
The collapse of a balcony in an apartment block in Melbourne has highlighted the importance of checks by landlords on matters of safety, structural soundness and maintenance due diligence of their properties, according to Archicentre Australia.
The national architect’s advisory service says the emphasis in identifying and rectifying these matters falls on the landlord, which makes regular checks vital in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
Archicentre Australia director Peter Georgiev says regular assessments arranged by landlords and carried out by building professionals, such as architects, will minimise the risk of similar incidents which have the potential to cause serious injuries to tenants, or even death. Particularly towards the end of each financial year, these assessments can provide landlords with strategies for legitimate expenditure on their investment properties.
“This should be done for all rented properties, whether they are occupied by long-term tenants or new tenants.
“Prior to a new tenant occupying a house or apartment, the landlord should arrange an architectural assessment and timber pest inspection to check the structural integrity of the building and any other matter that may put the safety or health of residents at risk,” he says.
Peter Georgiev says this is an important provision for rented properties of any age, but particularly for those built more than 30 years ago, before more rigorous construction checks and balances were put in place.
“The materials used in these older buildings may not have stood the test of time that well, increasing the risk of collapse or failure.
“This deterioration may not be evident to the naked eye, particularly for the inexperienced, meaning that inspection by qualified and experienced assessors is a must,” he says.
The balcony collapse in the inner Melbourne suburb of South Yarra occurred in an apartment block built during the late 1960s and Peter Georgiev says there are plenty of apartment blocks of similar age, style and construction methods in major Australian cities.
“For apartment blocks and townhouse complexes, the owners’ corporation needs to ensure that regular yearly assessments are carried out on behalf of the landlords for the benefits of all – including occupants,” he adds.
Archicentre Australia provides a two pronged approach – property assessments carried out by experienced architects as well as timber pest inspections carried out by independent licenced timber pest inspectors, who, Peter Georgiev says, all act as GPs for the building industry.
For more information go to www.archicentreaustralia.com.au
This media release has been written and distributed by:
Archicentre Australia
Peter Georgiev, Director
Level 1, 9 Strathalbyn Street,
Kew East, VICTORIA, 3102
Phone: 1300 13 45 13 | 03 9859 9950
