If you commission a condition inspection, you should
An inspection carried out without the appropriate expertise may convey a false understanding of the building's condition or result in unnecessary repairs.
Condition inspections may be performed by anyone who has sufficient knowledge of building technology. There are no legal qualifications for acting as an inspector and the services are not regulated by law. The range of inspectors is rather wide , as inspection services have only been offered for some ten years.
Inspectors who have a degree in performing condition inspections for properties in real estate transactions (AKK Inspectors) have at least a basic engineering education and extensive work experience in the field. Inspections are performed according to set guidelines. A registry of AKK Inspectors is maintained by the Real Estate Education and Training Institute
Other qualified inspectors include Qualified Condition Assessors (PKA) and Qualified Humidity Measurers (PKM). Condition inspections for houses and apartments are also performed by e.g. goods inspectors authorised by the Central Chamber of Commerce (HTT).
A condition inspection contract must always be made in writing. A template is provided for commissioning a condition inspection for a house or apartment.
For those who wish to read more on the subject, the Building Information Foundation RTS sells a set of instructions for condition inspections in real estate transactions:
Author: Building Information Foundation RTS Publisher: Building Information Ltd.