Should a Buyer Appoint Their Own Property Inspector?

If a seller has already provided an inspection report, that does not automatically mean the buyer should ignore it and start again.

But it also does not mean the buyer should rely on it without first understanding what was actually inspected.

The important question is:

Does that report give you the information you need to make your own buying decision?

What should you check?

Before relying on an existing inspection report, look at when it was completed, what type of inspection was undertaken, which areas were included or excluded, whether anything was inaccessible, and whether further investigation was recommended.

Not every document called a “property inspection report” covers the same areas or serves the same purpose.

When might your own inspection make sense?

A new inspection may be worth considering if the existing report is outdated, has a different scope, contains important limitations, or simply does not answer the questions that matter to you as the buyer.

TLC Inspect’s Pre-Purchase Inspection provides a detailed visual assessment of the readily accessible property areas included in the agreed scope, including relevant internal and external areas, fixtures and finishes, basic functional checks, visible damp and moisture indicators, roof-related areas, boundary walls and visible defects.

Where a finding requires closer investigation or specialist assessment, that becomes a separate next step.

What does South African law say?

Section 67(5) of the Property Practitioners Act, 2019 allows a consumer to arrange a property inspection at their own cost before finalising the transaction.

The prescribed seller disclosure also does not replace an inspection that a prospective purchaser may wish to obtain.

So, should you appoint your own inspector?

Ask yourself:

“Does the information I already have tell me what I need to know before I buy?”

If the answer is no, commissioning your own Pre-Purchase Inspection may give you a clearer picture based on a scope relevant to your own purchase decision.

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 – Pre-Purchase Inspection
• South African Government – Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2019
• South African Government – Property Practitioners Regulations / Immovable Property Condition Report