Scope and Terms & Conditions

This pre-lease / pre-purchase Property Assessment Report is a visual assessment of the conditions of the reasonably accessible areas of the property at the time of the assessment, including the subject premises and associated areas where the property is a unit.

The Scope of Assessment

This Report is prepared by Archicentre Australia – a division of ArchiAdvisory Pty Ltd – and in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.1-2007 Inspection of Buildings Part 1: Pre-purchase inspections – Residential Buildings (pending release of Australian Standard for pre-purchase inspections of non-residential buildings) and any other Australian Standards, definitions or referenced documents cited in the Terms and Conditions.

This Report is a subjective assessment prepared by the inspecting architect on a visual assessment of the condition of the reasonably accessible parts of the property and on the basis of the prevailing structural, soil and weather conditions at the time of the assessment and does not cover enquiries of councils or other authorities. It is not a certificate of compliance for the property within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance or local by-law.

Prolonged periods of wet or dry weather may cause structural changes to the property as described in the Property Maintenance Guide which you can download from the link found in the body of your Report and in the Report cover letter.

This Report will not disclose defects in inaccessible areas, defects that are concealed and/or not reasonably visible, defects that may be apparent in other weather conditions or defects that have not yet arisen.

This Report is not a rigorous assessment of all building elements and does not cover all maintenance items, particularly those such as jamming doors, windows or catches, decorative finishes and hairline or slight cracks.  This is in accordance with Category 0 and 1 of Appendix C –AS 2870-2011.

This Report is not a pest assessment. Archicentre Australia recommends that a timber pest assessment be carried out on all properties being considered for purchase. Clients wishing to have a full timber pest inspection should contact Archicentre Australia to arrange a separate pest inspection. Archicentre Australia’s Timber Pest Inspections are undertaken by highly qualified and independent inspectors.

The assessment assumes that the existing use of the property will continue and the Report is prepared on that basis. As such, the assessment will not assess the fitness of the property for any other intended purpose.  We advise you to verify any proposed change in use with the relevant authorities.

If you are intending to purchase the property, and in consideration of the limitations of a visual assessment, as well as budgeting for the anticipated cost of the recommended repairs and maintenance, Archicentre Australia recommends budgeting a further 5 -10% of the value of the property, to provide a “safety net” against unexpected costs that may arise over the first five years of ownership and that this be taken into account when establishing a purchase price. The amount of this safety net is a rough guide for properties generally and not specific to your property.

Where the property is a unit, associated areas may include common areas pertinent and immediately adjacent to the subject unit, for which major defects only will be noted.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR REPORT

  • Identification of observed building defects upon a visual assessment of the reasonably accessible parts of the property;
  • Assessment of defects for significance relative to the expected condition of a well maintained property of similar age and construction type;
  • Recommended actions for identified defects;
  • Recommended professionals and/or trades who may be appropriate to undertake further investigation or carry out the recommended action;
  • General and specific additional advice on maintenance matters that your architect has deemed appropriate.

WHAT IS NOT RECORDED IN YOUR REPORT

Unless specifically and explicitly agreed in writing with the owner and/or Owners’ Corporation the prior to the assessment, the Report will not cover:

  • Identification of toxic mould, or asbestos related products;
  • Condition or operation of swimming pools, spas or their surroundings, rainwater or grey water tanks or treatment and similar facilities;
  • Condition, adequacy or compliance of electrical, gas and plumbing systems including roof plumbing, underground pipes or drainage systems;
  • Operation adequacy or compliance of security and communications systems, smoke detectors, building services, building automation, electrically operated doors including garage doors, plant, equipment, mechanical, gas or electrical appliances and fittings;
  • Footings below ground, soil conditions, site factors and hazards;
  • Compliance with legal, planning, regulatory including Building Code of Australia, or OH&S legislation, sustainability or environmental matters including but not limited to the adequacy or safety of insulation, waterproof membranes and/or other installations, Bushfire Attack Level assessments;
  • Timber, metal or other framing sizes and adequacy.
  • Condition, compliance or assessment of Essential Safety Measures including fire, lift safety and health items installed or constructed in a building to ensure adequate levels of fire safety and protection.

Terms & Conditions

This Report has been prepared by Archicentre Australia – a division of ArchiAdvisory Pty Ltd – and the named architect and is supplied to you (the named client) on the basis of and subject to the Scope of Assessment and the Terms and Conditions of the Contract and the Assessment and Archicentre Australia accepts no responsibility to other persons relying on the report.

This Report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.1-2007 Inspection of Buildings Part 1: Pre-purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings (pending release of Australian Standard for pre-purchase inspections of non-residential buildings) and to any other Australian Standards, definitions or referenced documents cited in the Terms and Conditions.

Please note that having provided to you an opportunity to read the Scope of Assessment and the Terms and Conditions following upon you making a booking for the Property Assessment, the architect has proceeded to conduct the assessment of the property and Archicentre Australia has proceeded to supply this Report on the basis that you have accepted the Scope of Assessment and the Terms and Conditions and/or are deemed to have done so upon the architect arriving at the property.

The Report is to be read in conjunction with all other Archicentre Australia Reports issued concurrently for the property.

The Scope of Assessment and the Terms and Conditions take precedence over any oral or written representations by Archicentre Australia, to the extent of any inconsistency.

  1. After making the booking, the client is deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions and Scope of Assessment upon the architect arriving on site.
  2. The Report is not a guarantee but is an opinion of the condition of the inspected property relative to the average condition of well maintained similar properties of a similar age. A limited written guarantee is available on written acceptance of the guarantee conditions.
  3. Archicentre Australia accepts no liability with respect to work carried out by other trades, consultants or practitioners referred by Archicentre Australia. It is your responsibility to make appropriate contractual arrangements with such person.
  4. The Report is not a certificate of compliance for the property within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance or local by-law.
  5. Archicentre Australia does not accept responsibility for services other than those provided in this Report.
  6. In the absence of the written guarantee provided by Archicentre Australia, Archicentre Australia’s liability shall be limited to the provision of a new assessment and report or the payment of the cost of a new assessment and report, at the election of Archicentre Australia.
  7. The assessment assumes that the existing use of the building will continue. The assessment will not assess the fitness of the building for any intended purpose. Any proposed change in use should be verified with the relevant authorities.
  8. The Property Maintenance Guide constitutes a vital part of the architect’s recommendations and failure to observe either the recommendations or the Property Maintenance Guide could lead to premature deterioration of the property.
  9. The Health and Safety Warnings constitutes a vital part of Archicentre Australia’s recommendation to you. Failure to observe the provisions of the warning sheet could jeopardise the safety of the occupants.
  10. The Report and its appendices and attachments, as issued by Archicentre Australia, takes precedence over any oral advice or draft reports, to the extent of any inconsistencies, and only the Report and its appendices and attachments, which form a vital part of the architect’s recommendations, shall be relied upon by you.
  11. If you are dissatisfied with the Report you agree to promptly give Archicentre Australia written notice specifying the matters about which you are dissatisfied and allow Archicentre Australia to attempt to resolve the matters with you within 28 days of receipt by Archicentre Australia of such written notice before taking any remedial action or incurring any costs.
  12. Reference to Archicentre Australia in this Report and any other documentation includes, where the context permits, its agents and representatives authorised to act on its behalf.
  13. These Terms and Conditions are in addition to, and do not replace or remove, any rights or implied guarantees conferred by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 or any other consumer protection legislation.