Inspections protect everyone: Buyers, sellers & renters alike

• Professional inspections prevent costly surprises and hidden defects later.
• They protect buyers, sellers, and renters from disputes and financial loss.
• In South Africa, disclosure laws and insurance trends make them vital.

The hidden cost of skipping inspections

Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting, a property is one of the largest financial decisions of your life. Yet far too many South Africans skip professional inspections only to uncover damp walls, cracked foundations, or faulty wiring after contracts are signed.

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According to Adriaan Grové, Founder and CEO of MyProperty, “A professional inspection allows buyers and sellers to make decisions based on facts. In South Africa, we need to normalise qualified home inspections as standard practice. In the US, up to 90% of home sales include one. It protects both parties and creates a transparent transaction.”

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Why inspections matter

A proper inspection identifies visible and hidden defects across plumbing, electrical, roofing, foundations, and moisture barriers. It’s not about finding fault, it’s about protecting investment and peace of mind.

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Divan Paul du Preez, an independent inspection expert, notes:
“An inspection isn’t a witch hunt. It’s about preventing future surprises. A small damp patch today could become a major repair bill in six months if left unchecked.”

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Key reasons for Inspections

• Buyers: Avoid buying a problem property. Pre-purchase inspections uncover defects before transfer and give leverage for negotiation.
• Sellers: Identify and fix issues before listing. Transparency builds buyer trust, accelerates offers, and reduces deal fall-throughs.
• Landlords & Tenants: Entry and exit inspections protect both sides from deposit disputes and unfair damage claims.
• Agents: Demonstrate compliance and professionalism by ensuring disclosure and protecting all parties’ interests.

The legal landscape in South Africa

While property inspections aren’t yet legally mandatory, the law supports them in several ways:

• The Common-Law “Voetstoots” Clause allows properties to be sold “as is,” but sellers remain liable if they conceal latent defects intentionally.
• In Gortzen v. Moolman (2024), the court found sellers guilty of fraud for hiding moisture damage under a voetstoots sale.
• The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 compels sellers and agents acting “in the ordinary course of business” to disclose known material defects and forbids misleading statements.

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Grové explains: “Many sellers think voetstoots protects them completely. It doesn’t. Concealment equals misrepresentation and that can destroy a deal or lead to legal costs.”

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Types of Property Inspections

1. Pre-Purchase Inspection: Comprehensive assessment before offer or transfer.
2. Pre-Listing (Seller’s) Inspection: Identifies defects to fix or disclose upfront.
3. Rental Entry/Exit Inspection: Legally required under the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 to document property condition before and after tenancy.
4. Specialised Inspections: Electrical compliance, plumbing, structural integrity, and pest or damp reports.
5. Roof and Storm Damage Inspection: Increasingly critical due to climate volatility.

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“Most major insurance claims start with roof issues,” says du Preez. “A detailed roof report catches cracks, drainage issues, and leaks early.”

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For renters and landlords

‍The Rental Housing Act makes incoming and outgoing inspections compulsory to prevent disputes. Both parties must sign the inspection report, confirming the property’s condition. Failure to do so can cost landlords their right to claim against the tenant’s deposit.

Bottom Line

‍Skipping an inspection might save a few thousand rand upfront - but it could cost hundreds of thousands later. Inspections deliver transparency, prevent disputes, and build trust in a market often clouded by uncertainty.

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As Grové concludes: “Informed decisions make for confident buyers, credible sellers, and professional agents. Inspections aren’t a luxury; they’re essential risk management.”

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Final Word

‍In South Africa’s evolving property market, where every rand counts and accountability matters, a professional property inspection isn’t just a box to tick, it’s your strongest line of defence against regret.

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