Buying & owning
Land & property inspections
An independent look at a block of land and its surrounds (site features, access, drainage indicators and visible structures) before you buy, build or make changes. We explain what was observed and when a specialist report may be needed.
Illustration. Not an actual property or real inspection work.
- Buyers considering a vacant block or a property on a larger lot.
- Owners planning to build or extend who want to understand the site first.
- Investors reviewing a site before making a decision.
- Owners who want a record of a site's current condition.
- Site features such as slope, retaining walls, trees and existing structures.
- Access to and around the site, including driveways and crossovers.
- Visible drainage indicators, such as low points, pooling water, erosion or signs of water flow.
- The visible condition of outbuildings, sheds and other structures on the site.
- The immediate surrounds, including neighbouring structures and visible services such as pits, meters and poles.
- A written summary of site observations at the time of the inspection.
- Photos supporting key observations.
- Notes on where a specialist, such as a licensed land surveyor or a geotechnical engineer, may be needed.
- A plain-language explanation from VicWide.
Confirm access to the site with the owner or agent, including any locked gates.
Share the address, and a title plan or site plan if you have one.
Tell us what you're planning, such as buying, building or extending.
Let us know about any known issues, such as past flooding, filled ground or previous structures.
Can’t see your question? Send an enquiry and we’ll come back to you.
More detail
More about land & property inspections
How it works
Send the address and tell us what you're considering: buying, building, extending or simply understanding the site. We'll confirm the scope and provide a quote. The inspection looks at the site as it is on the day, and you receive a written summary with photos and plain-language notes.
What the inspection looks at
The focus is on what can be seen on and around the block: its slope and features, how you get onto and around it, visible signs of how water moves across it, and the condition of any structures on it. The aim is to help you understand the site before you commit to a decision.
When you need a specialist
Some questions can only be answered by other professionals. A licensed land surveyor confirms boundaries. A geotechnical engineer or similar specialist assesses soil and foundation conditions. Your council can confirm planning controls. Where an observation suggests one of these may be needed, the summary will say so, and we can explain what to ask for.
Learn with VicWide
Showing 3 topics
Inspections
Which inspection do I actually need?
Pre-purchase, strata, new-build and specialist inspections each suit a different need: buying a house or an apartment, building, or looking into a concern such as cracking, damp or older materials. This topic explains what each type looks at, when people usually arrange it, and how to describe your situation so we can suggest the right scope.
Key points 7
- Buying a house: a pre-purchase inspection looks at its visible condition and for signs of timber pest activity. For a home you already own, choose building and pest.
- Buying an apartment, unit or townhouse: a strata report covers the lot and the common property you can access, with help reading the owners corporation papers.
- Building: independent stage and handover inspections are checks you choose, separate from the mandatory inspections for the building permit.
- A specific concern: structural, mould and asbestos inspections look at visible cracking or movement, visible mould and signs of moisture, or materials that may contain asbestos.
- Pools and land: pool barrier inspections focus on the barrier, gates and fences. Land inspections look at the block, its site features and its surrounds.
- Before nearby works: a dilapidation report is a dated, photo-supported record of visible condition.
- If you're unsure, describe the property and the decision you're facing, and we'll help you choose.
Related service: Pre-purchase inspections
Permits & documentation
Which permits and documents might my project need?
Planning permits and building permits deal with different things, and a project may need one, both or neither. This topic explains the difference in plain terms, the kinds of documents authorities commonly ask for, and why the decision always sits with the relevant authority.
Key points 5
- A planning permit generally relates to how land is used and developed. Your council administers planning.
- A building permit relates to the building work itself and is issued by a building surveyor.
- Whether a permit is needed depends on the project and the property, so check before work starts.
- Authorities commonly ask for plans, specifications and supporting reports. Exact requirements vary.
- Decisions and timeframes sit with your council, the relevant building surveyor or the relevant authority.
Related service: Permits & approvals
Building
What do property owners often ask about their homes?
Many owner questions come back to a few themes: what needs a permit, which records to keep, and who to ask about a particular problem. This topic works through common questions in plain language and points to the right person for each.
Key points 5
- Check whether a permit may be needed before starting building work, including smaller projects.
- Keep permits, plans, certificates and warranties together. They matter when you sell, rent or renovate.
- Some questions need a specialist, such as a licensed land surveyor to confirm a boundary.
- An inspection describes condition. It doesn't settle disputes or give legal advice.
- If you're not sure who to ask, send an enquiry and we'll point you in the right direction.
Related service: Documentation assistance
Ready when you are
Enquire about land & property inspections
Tell us about the property. We confirm the scope and a quote with you before anything is arranged.