Put yourself in Hao’s shoes. He buys his dream home only to discover a buyer’s worst nightmare: most of his buildings are illegal.
As the Whittlesea Council says: His bungalow was constructed without a permit. And to add insult to financial injury, so were his two sheds and garage.
His options: Demolish said buildings. Or: Get permits. In both cases, however, Hao can expect to pay many thousands.
It’s a reminder for all of us to undertake careful due diligence, and request a thorough inspection. Jim’s Building Inspections, for one, operate a professional service across many Australian cities and towns.
“[The real estate agent] didn’t mention anything so I assumed everything [was] legal,” explained Hao. “Now all these historical issues fall on my shoulders and I have to fix it.”
If only he’d known.
It’s hard to put a price on peace of mind so why not enquire about Jim’s service? Illegal buildings, after all, are relatively common, according to the Australian Institute of Conveyancers.
Image Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-04/melbourne-man-buys-home-with-illegal-structures/10178320
