What Should Be Included in a Pre-Purchase Property Inspection Checklist?

A Pre-Purchase Inspection should help you understand the visible condition of a property before you buy.

At TLC Inspect, the Pre-Purchase Inspection is a detailed, non-invasive visual assessment of the readily accessible areas included in the agreed scope.

It is not simply about ticking boxes on a checklist. The aim is to identify and report the visible condition of the property and highlight concerns that may need maintenance, repair or closer investigation.

What does TLC Inspect assess?

Depending on the property and agreed scope, the inspection can include internal and external building areas, fixtures, fittings and finishes, basic functional checks, visible damp and moisture indicators, roof areas and the roof cavity where safely accessible, gutters and downpipes, boundary walls, visible defects and cracks, and relevant maintenance concerns.

Areas that are concealed, inaccessible or unsafe to access cannot be reported as though they were physically inspected.

What happens if something is found?

A Pre-Purchase Inspection identifies and reports visible conditions.

It does not automatically become a detailed investigation into every defect.

For example, visible damp may be recorded without assuming its cause. A visible crack does not automatically mean structural failure.

Where something needs closer assessment, TLC Inspect may recommend a separate Damp & Moisture Inspection, Building Defect & Crack Inspection, Roof Inspection, another appropriate Investigation, or referral to a suitably qualified specialist.

Does the seller’s disclosure replace the inspection?

No.

The seller’s disclosure records information the seller is aware of.

A Pre-Purchase Inspection independently assesses the visible condition of the property within the agreed scope.

South Africa’s prescribed Immovable Property Condition Report also specifically states that it should not be regarded as a substitute for inspections a prospective purchaser may wish to obtain.

This is reflected in the Property Practitioners Regulations, 2022, Regulation 36.

Pre-Purchase or Essential Property Inspection?

Not every buyer needs the same level of detail.

The Essential Property Inspection provides a more focused overview of important visible property concerns.

The Pre-Purchase Inspection is more detailed and also includes closer attention to fixtures, fittings, finishes and applicable basic functional checks.

Visit our Inspections, Investigations & Services page to compare the available services and find the option that best suits your property concern.

Still unsure? Contact TLC Home & Property and we’ll help you choose the right starting point.

Sources

• TLC Home & Property Inspections – Property Inspection Services
• South African Government – Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2019
• South African Government – Property Practitioners Regulations / Immovable Property Condition Report