Australian property buyers should look ahead of time for water and drainage plans, which may sound dismal, but in the long run can save buyers a lot of money.
This important document, like a time machine, helps buyers understand the installation of water and drainage pipes. With it, buyers will be able to find out what renovations they have undergone, whether they meet quality standards, and so on, "through new renovations."
What is the water and drainage plan?
A water supply and drainage plan is an official document deposited with the state water service. It shows the basic layout of the property and its plumbing, including sewers.
The plan shows the layout of the property and the location of the water supply and drainage pipes.
There are many types of water supply and drainage plan, among which the sewage pipe plan can reflect the water supply and drainage situation of the house most intuitively. It is also commonly referred to as "water supply and drainage plan" or "house sewer plan".
This plan allows buyers to understand the initial location of the pipe and whether it has been moved. Buyers must know if anyone has moved the pipe because previous renovations may not be professional. If it was built by professionals, it would be good news for new buyers.
Buyers' preferred properties may have new outdoor leisure platforms, bathrooms, kitchens and expansion areas, but have the water and drainage systems changed accordingly? The plumbing should have been altered and, if not, asked why, as it might suggest that the renovation is not being carried out by professionals.
Why do I need to check the plan?
If buyers invest in renovated homes, the last thing they want to see is that they have to demolish the new polished cement floors in the extension area to repair the pipes, or dismantle the new outdoor leisure platforms. And start all over again. Therefore, please be vigilant!
The renovation of bathrooms, kitchens and laundry has had the greatest impact on the water supply and drainage system, but buyers need to be wary of other thorny aspects, including:
- New expansion area
- New outdoor leisure platform
What happens when a new expansion area or outdoor leisure platform, especially one built close to the ground, is located above a sewer pipe that has been in use for more than 100 years? For old clay pipes, leakage is only a matter of time. Water pipes may burst or more serious problems, which is not only alarming, but also costly.
Through the water and drainage plan, buyers can see if the sewage pipe has been upgraded when the house is renovated. If the answer is yes, the buyer is very lucky, because this is a good sign that the construction of the house is very careful and well-thought out. If the answer is no, it does not mean that the construction workers are outsiders, but that the old sewers under the renovation project may pose a certain risk.
Read more: can housing acceptance save a lot of money for buyers?
When and where to obtain a water supply and drainage plan
Prior to acceptance, the buyer should obtain a copy of the water supply and drainage plan in the house sales contract, or ask the equity trader to provide a copy. They are also available from major plumbing suppliers-water companies typically list their names on their websites.
How to distinguish danger signals
In general, a property's water supply and drainage plan will have some "markings" on it. There may be the following markings on the plan view:
- Construction not completed
- Final check required
Sometimes the above two markers are just administrative or progress issues (for example, a link of paperwork has not been completed), so there is no need to panic, but the seller should be asked to resolve the problem.
However, buyers must be vigilant against this hazard signal when the following markings appear on the plan:
- Construction substandard
If the plumbing problem found by the house inspector has not been resolved, the mark means that the problem is quite serious.
Check the date on the water and drainage plan
Has the house been renovated? Sometimes there should be a handwritten date on the seal on the drawing. If there is no date, the buyer should contact the Water Company or the Fair Trading Office at (Office of Fair Trading), for the relevant date. (when calling, the buyer should also consult and note down the time of all previous renovation works.)
If there is no date, the buyer should contact the Water Company or the Fair Trading Office at (Office of Fair Trading), for the relevant date.
If the date is roughly the same as the renovation time, the renovation should be carried out by professionals, which is a good sign. However, if the plan is dated earlier than the renovation, this can be problematic and cause a series of "problems".
