11/6/2005 NST By G.Umakanthan

Conducting building inspections or building audits, generally shunned because of the costs involved, can ultimately save property buyers thousands of ringgit more.

According to architect and BIS Building Inspection Services’ principal Akbal Singh Sandhu, while the cost of such inspections can be hefty, it is imperative that buyers scouting for residential and commercial properties in the secondary market seek professional opinion before deciding to buy or occupy it.

“It won’t be unlike taking your friendly mechanic along when you’re going to pick up a used car, but the difference can mean be a lot more,” Akbal said.

As an example, Akbal explained that if an individual were to buy a property worth RM300,000 and then had to spend a further RM100,000 for additional work on renovations and to comply with building by-laws, then the purchase may not be worth their while.

“In such a case, it may be advantageous to show the inspection report to the seller and use it to bargain the price,” said Akbal, who has inspected more than 1,000 buildings in Malaysia - from individual houses to blocks of condominiums and commercial complexes - in the course of his practice.

He pointed out that building audits are useful, especially for business occupation over a long term, as this would help the occupant suss out physical conditions that may eventually have an impact on the business.

Getting building inspectors or surveyors to inspect a unit before occupation is not common practise in Malaysia, he said, as the standard behaviour was to take the keys to the newly completed house and call in the renovation contractor.

“If there was shoddy work, it is overlooked and in such an instance the purchaser allows himself to be short-changed,” Akbal said.

“House buyers in Malaysia need to be educated on their rights. They have to be made more aware of the issues they face, they have to demand for their rights and demand quality for the huge sums they are paying for their property.”

Akbal believes that as the nation becomes more and more industrialised, as people become more educated, they will pay greater attention to issues such as quality.

“They will, naturally, engage professionals for advice and input in major purchases they intend to make”.

Building surveyors, he explained, are familiar with building by-laws. Surveyors are knowledgeable on a variety of matters - from the height and length specified for the steps of a staircase to the height of the doors and the amount of ventilation a room must have.

As a tip for inexperienced buyers, he said, the purchaser should always check out to what extent the developer has complied with building plans and specifications.

“They should also immediately check with the electricity and water supply authorities as to whether the developer’s claim that water and electricity are ‘ready for connection’ is accurate.”

Another matter, Akbal said buyers should not ignore is the title to the property.

“Ensure that the developer applies for the title, or strata title as the case may be, within six months of the completion of the property as this is the legal requirement,” he said, adding that many consumer complaints and grievances have arisen as a result of this issue.

Akbal, who has practised building surveying in the United Kingdom, runs his own firm practising architecture, town planning and building inspection.