Although the Voetstoots clause and the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act does offer a certain level of protection to property buyers, knowing what danger signs to look for before they sign on the dotted line could end up saving consumers valuable time and money. 

While the Voetstoots clause and new Consumer Protection Act may offer some protection when buying property, rather spot the dangers before you sign.

So says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, adding that the most obvious things to keep an eye on are signs of water leaks and rising damp. Viewing a property while it is raining can often prove beneficial in this regard. Buyers should look for water stains on walls, mould growth and damp patches in plaster work. It is always a good idea to examine all the external walls of buildings and to check that the guttering is in good condition and is able to handle the water run-off. 

Another important area that buyers should be on the lookout for is horizontal and vertical cracks in the plaster and brick work. “Although a vertical crack is deemed far more serious than the horizontal variety, not all cracks are detrimental to the building itself. However, if in doubt, buyers should call on the services of a structural engineer who will quickly ascertain the extent and seriousness of the problem and advise a course of action.” 

He says that one of the most misunderstood areas is the function of the electrical compliance certificate. This valuable piece of paper does not guarantee that all electrical appliances and fittings in the property are in good working order. The purpose of the certificate is to ensure that electrical wiring, appliances and fittings have been correctly installed and do not pose a safety hazard or fire risk. 

Plumbing can be and often is a contentious issue for buyers. “Many aspects are unseen and as a result problems very often only become apparent once buyers have taken transfer,” says Goslett. Therefore it is very important for buyers to find out what systems the home has in place. Examples of this would be septic tanks, conservancy tanks, water borne sewerage and ecologically-designed sewage systems. Again this area of the home is often viewed as being out of sight and out of mind. However, the costs of replacing and maintaining these systems need to be taken into consideration. 

The boundaries of a property are of paramount importance and it is always a good idea to establish that boundary walls are correctly positioned and that the property is not encroaching on any surrounding properties. Your agent should be in possession of site diagrams that indicate exactly where the property begins and ends. 

Buyers should conduct a thorough investigation of the entire home, looking inside cupboards, turning on the taps and even going as far as flushing toilets to ensure that there are no leaks. 

“Buying a home involves a massive capital outlay; this is not the time to be shy or embarrassed about ensuring you are really getting what you are paying for,” says Goslett. 

“Buyers who feel uneasy about conducting an in-depth inspection or feel embarrassed about asking probing questions should ask the agent to do so on their behalf. Agents have a duty to disclose any defects that the seller has revealed and if a buyer has any concerns, the agent is in the ideal position to investigate and solve any potentially problematic areas.” 

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