Building Officials warn of substandard property inspections

July 29 2013

Building Officials Institute warns against substandard property inspections

Home buyers may be misled into accepting substandard property inspections due to confusion over industry credentials, the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ) has warned.

BOINZ Chief Executive Nick Hill said that buyers are now much more aware of the importance of getting an expert pre purchase inspection.

However, many people still do not understand the difference between an accredited building surveyor (ABS) and a licensed building practitioner (LBP), which could lead to costly mistakes.

“It is important that you check, before booking a property inspection, that the inspector is appropriately qualified,” said Mr Hill.

“You can then be confident that person has the specialist knowledge, insurance and experience to carry out an inspection that is compliant with the New Zealand Standard.

“Buyers should also always insist on a written report that is compliant with the New Zealand property inspection standard. A verbal report is not acceptable.”

To be registered as an ABS an inspector must have demonstrated they have the knowledge, qualification, experience and Standard Compliance to undertake inspections in accordance with the New Zealand property inspection Standard.

Mr Hill said that while an LBP will have been licensed through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBiE) to work in one or more areas of the building industry, they are not specialist building inspectors.

“There is nothing to stop an LBP advertising themselves as a property inspector,” he said. “However, our concern is that buyers who see an LBP advertising as a property inspector think that they are employing a qualified accredited building surveyor. That is not the case.

“The only way to do that is to employ an ABS – using an LBP is similar to the old approach of ‘getting a builder to look the place over.”

Sarah Symon director of property inspection group Realsure said the problem was compounded by some real estate agents advising buyers to use an LBP.

Realsure is the only property inspection group in New Zealand that is ISO 9001registered, and all its inspectors have achieved accreditation to the NZ standard for property inspection.

“All realtors should be aware of the difference, said Mrs Symon. “But, even if your agent advises you to use an LBP, you should use an ABS.

“If you haven’t used an ABS or have only been provided with a verbal report then you may have little or no recourse if you later find the inspection has failed to identify serious problems with the property.”

The Accredited Building Surveyors programme was developed by BOINZ, in conjunction with a group of industry experts, as a way of protecting home buyers and sellers when undertaking property transactions.

ENDS

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