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Inspections

There are a number of compulsory notifications and inspections that must be undertaken by your certifier before building on your home can continue. This helps to ensure the work is carried out to the required standards and legislative requirements. These records (and other documents) along with others must be lodged with Access Canberra before you can apply to be issued with a Certificate of Occupancy (the certificate that allows you to have legal occupancy or use of the building).

The existing mandatory stage inspections undertaken by a certifier are:

• completion of excavation, placement of formwork and placement of steel reinforcing for the footings before any concrete for the footings is poured

• for a house, completion of the structural framework and, before the placement of any internal lining

• for a house, completion of placement of formwork, and placement of steel reinforcing, for any reinforced concrete member before any concrete for the member is poured

• for all classes, completion of the building work approved in the relevant building approval.

An extra inspection will be made during construction for two storey homes before the second storey slab is poured.

There are also mandatory inspections that will be conducted by the ACT Government for electrical and plumbing work, which your builder, plumber or electrician will organise.

Your builder and certifier should keep you updated about when the mandatory stage inspections are going to take place. There is no requirement for you to personally attend these inspections, as they are quite technical and require full concentration and attention from your builder and your certifier. Your certifier will let you know if there are any issues.

If your build is financed through a bank or other lending institution, they may want to send a representative out to site to inspect the work completed each time a progress payment is due. Your bank will advise you of their progress stage inspection procedures.

NON-CONFORMING PRODUCTS

Non-conforming products can be found across all areas of construction, from steel, copper and electrical products to glass, aluminium and engineered wood – from the roof down to the bolts and screws.

Your builder or trade contractor must ensure that all the products and materials they use meet the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). However, retailers do not need to meet the requirements of the NCC, so you should not assume that just because something is for sale, even with a large Australian retailer, that it will meet the necessary requirements.

We recommend that you speak with your builder or trade contractor about whether a product is compliant before you purchase it.

If you are purchasing materials yourself, your builder or trade contractor may require the following evidence that a product complies with the NCC if you purchase a product yourself:

• Current ‘Certificate of Conformity’ issued under CodeMark or a WaterMark certification

• Certificate from an engineer or other appropriately qualified person

• Report issued by a registered testing authority (registered with NATA)

Before You Move In

Moving into a new home is an incredibly exciting time and is the final stepping stone before you truly begin to feel settled in your new space. While it might seem like the easiest part of the process, there is a lot that you still need to think about when it comes to making sure your home is ready to live in.

We’ve created a checklist for you to mark off each task to ensure you don’t miss a thing!

Select a moving company to assist you with the process – while this isn’t necessary, it can save a lot of time and energy

Apply for leave if needed, once you know your moving date

Organise end-of-lease cleaning if you are leaving a rental property

Provide notice that you will be leaving the property that you are renting (if applicable); this is mandatory so instructions for the notification should be included in your tenancy agreement

Connect electricity

Connect internet

Connect water

Connect gas (if applicable)

Arrange for your utilities to be disconnected from your previous address

Redirect all your mail to your new address

Change your licence address – this can be done through Access Canberra if you live in the ACT

Update your address details with the Australian Taxation Office

Be sure to change your address on the electoral roll

Ensure you’re happy that any defects identified during the maintenance liability period are remediated

Collect all the keys to your current home to provide to the next owners or hand back to the landlord

Home Maintenance

Maintaining your home is crucial to ensuring the longevity of the structure over the coming years. Completing regular home maintenance will also save you time and money in the future and more importantly, it will provide you with the peace of mind that you are living in a safe home. But what does home maintenance involve?

OUR HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST:

Cleaning Maintenance

This is the simplest form of maintenance. Besides giving a bright appearance, cleaning can prevent a build-up of mould and can stop moisture being trapped, which can cause rust or rot. Cleaning home maintenance should include:

Cleaning guttering as necessary to remove leaves, mud and other foreign matters

Removing rubbish accumulating close to walls

Checking that petrol and other flammable liquids are stored in a well-ventilated area as far from the main portion of the house as possible, out of reach of children and pets and away from electric motors

Cleaning aluminium window and door frames

Cleaning insect screens, checking for damage and replacing mesh if necessary

Checking for any increase in bushfire hazards through vegetation growth or accumulation of rubbish, and removing the hazards

Preventative Maintenance

Regular repainting of timber, sealing of joints and keeping vents and pipes clear can prevent damage occurring. Preventative home maintenance includes:

Making sure that exterior underfloor vents are not covered or clogged up

Checking underfloor ventilation for pests in the underfloor spaces

Checking that water drains and sumps are clear at regular intervals and after heavy rain

Checking and repairing air-conditioning and heating equipment

Corrective Maintenance

Early attention to repairs can prevent more serious damage. Corrective home maintenance includes:

Repairing and/or painting outdoor timber and structures

Checking for leaking taps and replacing washers immediately

Having inside painting and decorating undertaken when required

In bushfire hazard areas, check that your garden hose is sound and remains connected to the tap nearest the most obvious hazard, and keep a few buckets of sand and water handy

Checking underfloor ventilation for pests

Checking for leaking plumbing

Checking that the tiles on your roof are intact

Replacement

When an item has reached the end of its economic life span or it has not been maintained it must be replaced. This can be expensive.

Check exterior paint work (repainting usually needs to be completed every 4 – 6 years)

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NOTICE A BUILDING DEFECT?

Your builder is obliged to fix any building defects that occur within the relevant statutory warranty timeframe. The building works will be covered by a statutory warranty period, as prescribed in the legislation. Under this warranty, your builder is responsible for fixing structural building defects for a period of six years starting from the completion of the work or no later than the date the Certificate of Occupancy was issued, or two years for defective non-structural work. However, your builder is not responsible for maintenance work, or problems that occur as a result of a lack of maintenance.

The Master Builders Fidelity Fund was established in 2002 to protect the interests of builders and home owners in the ACT.

Income received by the Master Builders Fidelity Fund remains in the ACT, and is securely invested, and used for the betterment of the ACT building and construction industry.

The Fund issues Fidelity Certificates which provide protection for new homes or those making substantial changes, if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent.

The Certificates protect the owner during construction and for up to five years from the date a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Members of Master Builders ACT receive reduced premium rates.

For more information, please contact the Master Builders Fidelity Fund.

HOME OWNERS WARRANTY INSURANCE / FIDELITY FUND COVER

WHAT IS HOME WARRANTY INSURANCE?

In 1988, the ACT Government introduced mandatory Residential Building Insurance then, in 2002, legislated to enable Fidelity Funds to be established in the ACT. The principal purpose of the insurance or Fidelity Fund Certificate is to provide the consumer with protection against financial loss.

WHY WOULD MY BUILDER NEED THIS INSURANCE TO COMPLETE WORKS ON MY HOME?

Under the Building Act 2004 (ACT) it is a requirement that a licensed builder must obtain complying residential building work insurance (also referred to as home warranty insurance) or a Fidelity Fund certificate on behalf of the lessee from an approved Fidelity Fund scheme or insurer before commencing any building work over $12,000. There are some exemptions provided and if you’re not sure about what is needed, have a chat with your builder.

Fidelity Fund certificates or home warranty policies are required for construction of a class 1 building or class 2 building (town house, units, apartments) up to 3 storeys in height, and certain alterations or additions to an existing residence where the work is valued at $12,000 and is structural in nature.

Fidelity Fund certificates or home warranty policies are not required for class 10 structures such as swimming pools, fences, landscaping, mail boxes or garages (unless structurally adjunct to the class 1 structure). The appointed Building Certifier may assist if you are unsure about these requirements.

WHEN CAN A CLAIM BE MADE?

A claim may be made for incomplete building work if the builder becomes insolvent, disappears or dies, during the contract period. A claim may also be made for defects that come to light after completion of the project in the Statutory Warranty period if the builder dies, disappears or suffers an insolvency event.

Phone: (02) 6175 5900

Email: canberra@mba.org.au

The legislation provides that a Fidelity Fund certificate or home warranty insurance policy provides maximum coverage of $85,000. If no work has been completed, and only a deposit paid, the maximum that you can claim is $10,000. There are strict timeframes for making a claim, so it is recommended you make enquiries about claiming on your home warranty insurance or fidelity fund certificate as soon as you are aware of any grounds for a claim.