Buying a Property? Why You Should Check for Unapproved Structures Before You Sign

Buying a property is exciting, and it’s easy to get swept up in the kitchen, the backyard and the location. But before you sign, there’s one thing that’s well worth checking: do all the structures on the property actually have approval?

It’s more common than you might think for a property to have a shed, carport, deck, pool or extension that was built without the right approvals at some point in its history. When you buy that property, you generally inherit that situation too, which means the responsibility for sorting it out can become yours.

That’s why it pays to look into this before you commit. Checking early gives you options. You might decide it’s not a problem, or you might use it as part of your negotiation, or you might ask the seller to resolve it before settlement. What you don’t want is to discover an unapproved structure after you’ve moved in, when it becomes your issue to fix.

If something does come up, it’s usually manageable. In many cases an unapproved structure can be regularised through a Building Information Certificate, which provides a certified position from the council on the existing structure. Knowing that this is an option, and what it’s likely to involve, puts you in a much stronger position as a buyer.

If you’re looking at a property and you’re unsure about the structures on it, we’re happy to help you understand where things stand and what your options would be. A little certainty before you sign can save a lot of stress later.