Property buyers should resist agents dirty tricks
Industry urges property buyers to resist agents’ dirty tricks over building inspections.
The Building
Officials Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ) has warned home
buyers to stand firm in the face of ‘interfering estate
agents’ who try to block accredited property inspections.
BOINZ Chief Executive Len Clapham welcomed a report
by Consumer magazine which reveals some agents have employed
underhand methods to scupper surveys by accredited building
surveyors.
He urged prospective buyers to safeguard
their investment by commissioning inspections only by
accredited surveyors from firms complying with the New
Zealand Standard for Residential Property Inspection.
“Consumer found some agents had even contacted
property inspectors directly, on the ‘prospective
buyer’s behalf’ but without their knowledge, to cancel
appointments,” said Mr Clapham.
“Or they have
pressured the buyer into cancelling an inspection by a New
Zealand Standards accredited building surveyor, and using
another firm instead.
“It is the prospective
buyer’s absolute right to choose who inspects the
property. Any attempt by agents to interfere or influence
that choice is totally unacceptable and should not be
tolerated.
“The agent’s only input into that
process should be to arrange a mutually acceptable time when
they can accompany the accredited inspector to the
property.”
Mr Clapham said that purchasing a property was the biggest investment many people would ever make, so carrying out due diligence was vital, especially in the current uncertain market.
“A very important part of that process is ensuring the inspection is carried out by a fully accredited building surveyor to provide you with thorough, independent advice before you buy,” he said.
“If the agent or vendor does not want the property to be undergo a rigorous non-invasive inspection then you really should be wondering why.”
The report, in the latest issue of the Consumer New Zealand magazine, advises prospective buyers to have contracts legally checked before they sign, to make sure the building clause does not limit their rights.
It also welcomed proposed changes in the new Real Estate Agents Bill that will offer more protection for buyers and sellers.
ENDS