Most contracts let the buyer inspect the property shortly before settlement. It is your last chance to confirm the home is in the condition you agreed to buy, with the inclusions still there, before your money changes hands. Check your contract for when and how often you can inspect, and book it with the agent.
Bring
- A copy of the contract and its list of inclusions and exclusions
- Photos from the listing or your earlier visits
- Your phone charger, to test power points
- A notepad, or your phone to photograph anything wrong
Checklist
Inclusions
- Fixtures and items listed in the contract are still there: light fittings, blinds, curtains, dishwasher, oven, rangehood, air-conditioners, garden shed
- Remote controls, keys, garage and gate openers, alarm codes
Working order
- Taps, showers and toilets: hot water runs, no leaks
- Lights, switches and a sample of power points
- Oven, cooktop, dishwasher, heating and cooling
- Doors and windows open, close and lock
- Smoke alarms present and working
Condition
- No new damage to walls, floors, benchtops or doors from the move out
- No new water stains on ceilings, or damp
- The yard is in the same state, and anything the seller agreed to remove has gone
- Rubbish, furniture and belongings not included in the sale have been removed
- Any repairs the seller agreed to make have been done
If something is wrong
Tell your conveyancer the same day, with photos, and before settlement. What happens next depends on your contract and the problem: the seller may fix it, agree to an adjustment, or in serious cases settlement may be delayed. Once you have settled, your options are much weaker, so don’t leave it until after.
Read settlement day explained for what happens next.
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