Property Check

Scope
Visual inspection of residential buildings. The pre-sale or pre-purchase property inspections (visual and non-invasive) make provision for reporting on:
(a) Significant defects;
(b) Particular attributes;
(c) Gradual deterioration; and
(d) Significant maintenance.

The areas included are:
(a) Interior;
(b) Services;
(c) Exterior;
(d) Roof exterior;
(e) Roof space;
(f) Subfloor;
(g) Site; and
(h) Identified ancillary spaces and buildings including accessory units.

Application
Applies to all residential buildings including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Stand alone houses;
(b) Semi-detached houses;
(c) Terrace-style houses;
(d) Unit title, company title, cross lease dwellings;
(e) Town houses and cluster housing; and
(f) Apartments.

Exclusions
The inspection or report does not cover the following:
(a) Legal title;
(b) Building warrant of fitness and services described on a compliance schedule;
(c) Planning, resource consent issues;
(d) Building consent issues;
(e) Long term maintenance planning;
(f) Rental property tenancy inspections;
(g) Heritage obligations; and
(h) Compliance with body corporate rules, the terms of a memorandum of cross lease or a
company title occupation agreement.

NOTE -
Although property inspections can provide invaluable expert advice, they do not cover everything. For example, the inspector normally would not check the adequacy of the following:
(a) Footings;
(b) Concealed damp-proof membranes;
(c) Electrical installations, smoke detectors and residual current devices;
(d) Concealed plumbing;
(e) Concealed drainage;
(f) Gas fitting;
(g) Air-conditioning;
(h) Heating units;
(i) Swimming pools, spa pools, saunas and associated equipment;
(j) The operation of fireplaces and chimneys;
(k) Alarm systems;
(l) Intercom systems;
(m) Soft floor coverings including carpet and lino;
(n) Appliances including but not limited to dishwashers, waste disposal units, ovens, ducted vacuum systems; and
(o) Hazards.

Non-Permitted items (Safe and Sanitry reports)
Non-Permitted items (Safe and Sanitary reports) Reports provided to enable details of construction and/or installations this includes; log burners, swimming pools, spa pools, alterations and additions, Etc.

Alterations
Property Check Limited comments on compliance with the appropriate building code and if required any remedial works and likely rectification and remedial costing where necessary.

Maintenance Schedules
Schedule provided to enable prioritised planning and execution of deferred and ongoing maintenance over selected time frames as required, allowing for more cost effective budgeting.

Technical Advice
Matters of construction, plans and specifications, elements of town planning regulations.

Schedules of Defects
Technical data involving defects and non-compliance with Territorial Authority regulations during construction and providing remedial alternatives.

Cladding reports
Detailed reports on the condition of cladding. If necessary comment on the compliance of the cladding with the building code and determine risk of weather tightness concerns. Investigative reports including probe and/or destructive testing for moisture penetration

BRANZ Advisory
The BRANZ Accredited Advisers (building consultants) scheme is a network of independent technical building consultants for the building and construction industry. The BRANZ Accredited Advisers service provides more on the ground expertise throughout New Zealand.

BRANZ Accredited Advisers can help in many ways through consultation and inspection.

Any one with a construction related problem can use the service to get a professional, unbiased assessment and/or advice, including written reports:

Builders:- for technical problems requiring site visits and information on how to tackle particular building challenges. Advice on materials, workmanship and the building process.
Designers, territorial authorities, building product suppliers:- for technical advice on particular designs, site problems and advice on information and services available from BRANZ .
Building and home owners, lending institutions, solicitors, insurers and school boards:- for pre-purchase or pre-sale reports (BRANZ research shows that a large number of New Zealand houses have serious defects because many homeowners do little, or no regular maintenance); advice on solving technical problems; site visits and written reports; maintenance reports and final inspections for new buildings.