Rental Property Building and Pest Inspection

LNevC on 11/12/2023 - 20:23
Last edited 11/12/2023 - 21:05 by 1 other user

First post on this site so be kind.

The property I rent has been up for sale and is now under contract. I still have about 7 1/2 months of lease left. The selling agent has sent an entry notice advising of a building and pest inspection on the 15th of this month. Agent has asked for everything possible to be moved away from the walls, for the inspection.

This is not possible as I have nowhere to move furniture or the contents and am not physically capable of moving furniture anyway. I am seventy in a couple of weeks. The agent also wants to attend the inspection. Is this allowed? Do I actually have to move anything? I'm in Qld. if that makes any difference.

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  AngoraFish on 11/12/2023 - 20:41

  +9

  They can ask, but you don't have to do any furniture moving. The key phrase is "everything possible", and not a lot is possible.

  REAs try this kind of stuff on all the time, they present something in words that imply that you have some kind of a legal obligation and then hope that you don't know your rights.

  The owner is entitled to inspect and do maintenance on the property and that's it. You are not required to work for them for free.

  The agent is allowed to intend the inspection.

  This is a good place to start if you want to investigate further https://tenantsqld.org.au/

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  elgrande on 11/12/2023 - 21:14

  I'd provide access but politely ignore the request to move any furniture.

  To be honest, seeing the walls won't acheive much for a pest and building inspection anyways.

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  brad1-8tsi on 11/12/2023 - 21:24

  The only time moving furniture will be your problem is when you move out.

  You only have to provide access.

  There's also no reason why you can't tell the inspectors what a great property it is (or isn't).

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  John Kimble on 11/12/2023 - 21:39

  -2

  First post on this site so be kind.

  Why say this?

  • 

    CheapskateQueen on 11/12/2023 - 22:59

    +3

    because ppl are savages

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  prplrabbit on 11/12/2023 - 22:17

  "Everything possible"

  If for you, that is nothing, it means you've done everything possible.

  • 

    NevC on 11/12/2023 - 22:45

    I might use that if the REA asks why nothing is moved.

    • 

      Mechz on 11/12/2023 - 23:13

      +2

      Just tell them they're welcome to come and move your furniture from and back to its original position themselves in order to complete the assessment.

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  NevC on 11/12/2023 - 22:46

  +3

  Thanks for the replies everyone.

  • 

    ThithLord on 12/12/2023 - 09:27

    +1

    Good luck, OP - maybe post an update after it goes down, let us know how steaming the REA was to have your rights shoved in their face

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  NevC on 15/12/2023 - 22:06

  Had the inspection today and tried to get some info from him. Didn't say much except that the place has some major problems. His report is confidential he said, which I knew he'd say anyway. I am curious as to why he didn't even look at the roof. Maybe the sale will fall through now.

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    JIMB0 on 16/12/2023 - 09:43

    A major problem in an inspectors eyes can be as simple as a toilet door that doesn't have lift off hinges or a second story window that kids could fall out of.