Pre Settlement Inspection Checklist

Pre Settlement Building Inspection - Checklist

Planning for settlement day when buying

There are a number of things you need to do before settlement day to make sure everything runs smoothly.Summary of important things to know

• You should arrange to inspect the property before settlement day. This is the pre-settlement inspection.
• You need to make sure your purchase finance is ready before settlement day.
• Your property insurance needs to be in place for settlement.
• Property settlement is largely a legal process. Your lawyer or conveyancer will help you.
• The information on this page may not cover everything you need to know. You should always get advice from your own lawyer or conveyancer.
  
  Pre-settlement inspection
• The sale and purchase agreement provides the chance for you to check the property and chattels are in the same condition they were when you signed the agreement to buy the property and that the seller has met any conditions listed in the agreement. The inspection is not an opportunity to uncover problems that existed when you signed the agreement.
• Contact the agent to arrange the pre-settlement inspection. It should be at least 2 working days before the settlement date so there is time for the seller to address any issues.
  If the property is tenanted, be aware that extra time may be needed for the landlord to get the tenant's consent for the inspection.
  If it’s important to you that the property is clean and ready for you to move in, you can include this as a condition in the sale and purchase agreement, for example, by stating that the house is to be commercially cleaned.
  
  Things to look for in the pre-settlement inspection
  
  
• It’s a good idea to take a copy of the sale and purchase agreement with you to the pre-settlement inspection so you can refer to details of any conditions and chattels.
• Check that the property is in the same condition as it was when you signed the sale and purchase agreement.
• Make sure that all the chattels listed on the sale and purchase agreement are in the property and are in good working order (unless it has been agreed and documented otherwise).
• Check that fixtures such as lights and curtains work too.
• Check if there is any property damage since the sale and purchase agreement was signed, for example storm or earthquake damage, or damage caused when the previous occupants moved out.

• If the seller agreed to carry out maintenance or repairs to the property as part of the sale and purchase agreement conditions, check that this has been done.
• Check that all the previous occupant’s belongings and rubbish have been removed.
• Make sure that all keys, garage door remotes and security alarm codes are accounted for and will be available to you on settlement day.

If you find issues during the pre-settlement inspection

If you find damage during your pre-settlement inspection that wasn’t present when you signed the sale and purchase agreement or if a chattel is missing, contact your lawyer or conveyancer immediately. Your lawyer or conveyancer will outline your options and can negotiate with the seller’s lawyer or conveyancer to rectify the situation.

Settled.govt.nz

Contact the agent to arrange the pre-settlement inspection. It should be at least 2 working days before the settlement date so there is time for the seller to address any issues.
If the property is tenanted, be aware that extra time may be needed for the landlord to get the tenant's consent for the inspection.

If it’s important to you that the property is clean and ready for you to move in, you can include this as a condition in the sale and purchase agreement, for example, by stating that the house is to be commercially cleaned.

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