A dilapidation report, also known as a dilapidation survey or property condition survey, is an accurate survey of the state of a property at a particular point in time. The report records any existing damage and the state of any aspects of the property that are likely to be affected by future construction work.
Dilapidation reports form the basis of any claims of damage caused by construction work. They provide a legal record of a property’s condition before construction begins. A follow up report can also be performed once the works have been completed.
The reports typically include a detailed photographic record of the condition of each property prior to any construction works commencing on the adjoining land. The report is used as a baseline against any claims of damage by a property owner, to the construction contractor, as a result of the works.
In the event of any damage occurring as a result of the development works, the damage would be remedied and paid for by the contractor.
It is the responsibility of the civil contractor undertaking development works to undertake dilapidation reports prior to commencing works near existing homes and buildings. The requirement is included in the construction contract between the developer and the civil contractor. Civil contractors arrange insurance to cover the cost of repairs in the event of damage to nearby homes as a result of the work they are carrying out. The project engineers who are overseeing the project will ensure the contractor adopts best industry standards when working on the development.
Property condition reports will be offered to the owners of properties that are deemed to be in close proximity to the staged works across the Glen Iris Estate project site as development progresses. With the homeowner’s consent, the report will be completed by an independent specialist consultant appointed by the civil contractor prior to work commencing. Homeowners will be offered this service by the civil contractor’s nominated sub consultant. You are not obliged to accept the offer but if the offer is not taken up it is very difficult to justify any claims of damage at a later date.
Exactly which properties will be surveyed will be determined on the advice of the project consultants and civil contractors. This can vary, depending on the nature of the work being done, the equipment to be used and the conditions of the site. A copy of the dilapidation report prepared by the contractor can be provided to the homeowner.
Retaining walls are generally built inside the boundary of the property they are supporting (i.e. on the high side of the wall). They will be assessed as part of the property condition report undertaken before any works commence.
As a homeowner you can arrange to have an independent dilapidation survey completed on your home, outbuildings and any other structures on your property. Should you choose, as the homeowner, to arrange an independent survey this would be at your cost. Dilapidation surveys commissioned by a homeowner are for the homeowner’s information only.It is highly unlikely that a civil contractor would accept a dilapidation report that they had not commissioned, due to strict insurance and liability requirements. An independent second opinion would not replace the need for the civil contractor to undertake a dilapidation report on properties adjoining the project site.