Buying Property
in Tasmania?
Avoid the Expensive Mistakes Most Buyers Make
Tasmanian contracts work differently. One overlooked clause or skipped inspection can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Buying a home in Tasmania can be exciting — but it’s also one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. What many buyers don’t realise is that property contracts here contain key differences from those in other states, and skipping even one step in your due diligence can cost you dearly.
At the heart of every Tasmanian property purchase lies the defect clause — a contractual condition that can limit your ability to renegotiate or walk away after a building inspection.
Understanding this clause, and ensuring your inspection is handled professionally, could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Why Skipping a Building Inspection Is a Costly Gamble
What an AS 4349.1 Inspection Covers — and Why It Protects You
Hidden Defects Can Become Legal and Insurance Problems
A professional inspection can also uncover unapproved renovations or illegal building works — such as garage conversions or unregistered extensions.
Without permits, you may inherit code violations that void insurance coverage or trigger compliance notices from council. Enforcement can require costly remediation or even demolition.
Worse still, skipping the inspection removes your negotiation leverage.A formal inspection report, written under AS 4349.1, is legal documentation. It gives you the right to renegotiate price, request repairs, or lawfully exit the contract if the inspection clause allows.Without it, the property — and every hidden defect — becomes your sole responsibility.
Protecting Your Position: Defect Limits and Independent Inspections
Timing Matters More Than Most Buyers Realise
Book your inspection as early as possible — ideally before signing, or immediately afterwards.
Tasmania’s three-day cooling-off period can only help you if your inspection results arrive in time to act.
Engage a qualified conveyancer or property lawyer to review your contract for protective clauses, confirm title accuracy, and ensure timeframes for inspection and finance are clearly defined.
Once contracts are exchanged, Tasmanian law places property ownership risk on the buyer, not the seller.That means you must arrange building insurance immediately after signing — not at settlement — to cover potential damage or vandalism before you move in.
Smart Buyer Checklist
Request an independent, AS 4349.1-compliant building inspection
Keep your defect limit at 1% or less
Allow at least 14–21 calendar days for inspection (extend during holidays)
Include a cooling-off period
Obtain legal and insurance advice early
