FAQs about Prepurchase Auckland NZ 
What is an Inspection?
An inspection is a visual examination of the structure and systems of a house. If you are thinking of buying a house, unit or apartment, you should have it thoroughly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial professional inspector.

What does and inspection include?
A complete inspection includes a visual examination of the building from top to bottom. The inspector evaluates and reports the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, drainage, heating system, visible insulation, walls, windows, and doors. Only those items that are visible and accessible by normal means are included in the report.   

When do I request an Inspector?
The best time to consult the inspector is right after you have made an offer on your new building. The real estate contract usually allows for a grace period to inspect the building. Ask your real estate agent to include this inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report.

Can a building "Fail" the Inspection?
No. A professional inspection is simply an examination of the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. An inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a building, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of minor or major repairs or replacement.

What if the report reveals problems?
If the inspector finds problems in a building, it does not necessarily mean you should not buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to make repairs because of significant problems discovered by the inspector. If your budget is tight, or if you do not wish to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the property for you. The choice is yours.

If the report is favourable, did I really need an inspection?
Definitely! Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and its equipment and systems. You may have learned a few things about your property from the inspection report, and will want to keep that information for your future reference. Above all, you can rest assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision and that you will be able to enjoy or occupy your new house or building the way you want. 

Can I inspect the building myself?
Even the most experienced building or house owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional inspector who has inspected hundreds, and perhaps thousands of houses and buildings in their career. An inspector is equally familiar with the critical elements of construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and interrelationships of these elements. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the building they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.

What is a L.I.M.?
The letters stand for" Land Information Memorandum".The relevent city or local council holds information about each property in its area. For a fee (which varies considerably), they will print out some of this information from their computer. If there are any problems or unusual and important features, these should show up. For instance the LIM might reveal the property is subject to flooding, or contains a council drain which may not be built over, or a protected tree or building. It should also help you to figure out how the district plan applies to the site. Sometimes the council will also supply pages of area plans showing the known stormwater and sewage drains, zoning and other details.