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If you are buying an established property to renovate, ask an architect, draftsperson or builder to report on the kind of work possible, some ideas may look good on paper but not be structurally sound.
Even if you do not intend to renovate, a building inspection before you buy can identify repairs and maintenance requirements, and estimate some unforseen costs.
If building work has been carried out on the property within the past 10 years, check if these works had council approval. You can do this by:
The quality and workmanship of registered building works are automatically covered by warranties from the builder. For more information, visit the Building and Energy website.
Green title is the most common form of land title. It refers to land that generally has no common areas (unless indicated on the certificate of title) and may include a freestanding dwelling.
Green title properties may still have restrictions or instructions about how the land can be used. For example, the Water Corporation may have a right to install or access a sewer line on the property, and depending on its location, it may restrict your ability to install a pool or build an extension.
As many restrictions are recorded on the certificate of title, it is a good idea to check the title and make other relevant enquiries before buying a property.
Purple title refers to ownership of an undivided share in a property.
Although this is not now a common form of title, some retirement villages or multi storey units (for example) offer residents an undivided share in the complex. The right to occupy certain areas in the complex is then determined by the contract with each resident.
An established property may be an owner-built house or include other building work that has been completed by an owner builder. An owner builder is a person who:
You can tell if a house is owner built, or has had work carried out by an owner builder, by:
A strata title is a form of individual ownership of a home, unit or apartment within a multi-unit complex. At settlement, you will receive a certificate of title for the unit you have purchased and become a joint owner of the common property (common areas such as hallways and foyers that are shared by all the unit owners).
When looking at a strata title property, consider:
If you are considering a strata-title property, find out about the strata company (formerly called the ‘body corporate’).
The unit owners are members of the strata company, which owns and manages the common property.
If you buy the property, you will be a member of the strata company. You will have the right to vote on decisions about the operation of the strata company and, among other responsibilities, must:
Before you buy a strata titled property, the property seller must give you the following:
When you are happy with the content of the forms, sign the Form 28. Signing the Form 28 is not an offer or contract to buy the strata titled property–it simply shows that you have received and understood the information provided.
After reading through the forms, make sure you have answers to the following questions, or find out in writing from the property seller or real estate agent.
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