Looking for advice on house problem

Hey guys,

We purchased our first house last week after searching for a long period. This will be the first time we’ll live in a house as we have always lived in apartments before. So this is both exciting and overwhelming for us.

The house is an old single story from the 1950s, so there may be some issues that needs to be fixed up after moving in. A building inspection was done on the property previously, and the report can be found here:

Dropbox - Inspection.pdf

Although looking through the pages, we’re quite lost on what we should be doing. This also isn’t helped by our lack of experience in living in houses, since we don’t know how serious some of the issues mentioned are.

We’re wondering which problem should be fixed as soon as possible and which can be left alone as long as it’s not causing any issue?

Thank you so much for reading this, we would sincerely appreciate any advice that can be given!

Best Regards,
Bisod

 

The report is quite good and there is nothing really urgent.

However, I would get the pipe lagging in the roof inspected to be sure it isn’t asbestos and don’t go into the roof space or near the lagging without wearing a P2 mask (a disposable one is fine - you can get them from Bunnings).

Definitely have regular termite inspections.

Address the issue of ventilation under the house too.

Measure the crack in the bricks to see how it changes over the next few years - but it is pretty standard.

 

I had a quick look at the report and given you say that the house has been purchased would be following up with an electrician and asbestos specialist as soon as possible. Sounds like you need to consider a total rewire and new switchboard.

That lamp post needs to be fixed in consultation with the electrician.

Roof sounds like it needs work/ possible replacement.

Then I'd be getting some one to look at the other items. The cracked bricks in the wall would concern me also.

I hope you have a repair budget for this house.

 

Ahh thank you both for your replies, I'll definitely have the asbestos part checked.

Although I'm not quite sure what it means in the part of report where it talks about asbestos in switchboard. Those it mean there may be asbestos floating around in there or in any of the components inside?

If so, would it be dangerous for me to touch the switchboard for when we wish to turn off/restart the power?

 

Impossible to say. It does indicate that the switchboard is old and over due for replacement. Unable to say whether or not it's safe. I'd call an electrician, the place sounds like it needs rewiring and/ or new switchboard.
An IP in Fern-tree burnt to the ground due to old wiring in the last twelve months. Thankfully, the tenant got out in time but lost all their goods and the investor lost the house.