Buyer guide
Buying an apartment in Brisbane: an inspection checklist
When you buy an apartment, you buy two things: your unit, and a share of the building. A good inspection covers your unit closely, notes what it can see of the shared areas, and pairs with a careful read of the body corporate records.
Inside the unit
- Shower recesses, bath hobs and tiled floors for leaks and drummy tiles
- Walls next to wet areas checked with a moisture meter
- Balcony membrane, drainage falls and balustrade fixings
- Windows and sliding doors for leaks, seals and smooth operation
- Ceilings for stains that suggest leaks from the unit above
- Joinery, doors, floor coverings and general wear
Common property we can see
Where access is possible, we look at the car park, fire stairs, lobby and exterior from the ground. We cannot inspect the whole building or other units, and we will say so in the report.
The body corporate records
Ask your conveyancer or a strata search company to review minutes, the sinking fund forecast, special levies, building defect reports, and any insurance claims. Water leaks, cladding and waterproofing disputes are common topics in Brisbane apartment buildings.
Building only or building and pest?
For a unit high in a concrete tower, a building only report may be enough. For ground floor units, townhouses and low rise blocks with gardens, add the timber pest inspection. See apartment inspections.