Terms of Service

The survey inspection and report is prepared for the purposes of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The report is based on a visual inspection only of the exposed and accessible main parts of the structure, e.g., walls, roof, etc., to determine the general state of the property.

This is not a full specification as to how to remedy issues, and a registered engineer should be employed to specify remedy to all issues noted, and in general, to ensure the property becomes structurally sound. We have only commented on a sample of parts of the property we deem to be structurally unsound and dangerous. There may be more areas of the property that are structurally unsound and dangerous that may not be commented upon in this report. 

This does not include advice of whether planning permission is required for any proposed works, architectural design, structural design, specification.

The Inspection: The engineer inspects the interior and exterior of the main building, recording the defects that are evident.

Outside the Property: Where there are restrictions to access or view, areas may not be inspected. 

The Report: The engineer produces a report of the results of inspection for you to use but cannot accept any liability if it is used by anyone else. If you decide not to act on the advice in the report, you do this at your own risk. The report is aimed at providing you with an overall understanding of the aspects of the property that are structurally unsound and dangerous. The engineer does not provide costs for required repairs

Carbon Monoxide:

The first line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning is making sure that all fuel burning equipment such as the boiler is initially inspected prior to use and thereafter an annual basis including the flue and vents. Carbon monoxide alarms are an excellent second line of defence that should be installed on every level of the home and tested regularly.

It is recommended that smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in suitable locations without causing wall or ceiling damage if not already in place. All heat, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors need to be checked to ensure that they are working properly.

General Data Protection & GDPR: O'Neill O'Reilly & Associates is required under the Data Protection Acts to ensure the security and confidentiality of the personal data it processes. Personal data is one of our most important assets and each one of us has a responsibility to ensure the security of this information. Accurate, timely, relevant, and properly protected personal data is essential to the successful operation of O'Neill O'Reilly & Associates in the provision of services to our clients, and the public at large. We are committed to our obligations in dealing with and safeguarding personal data to ensure that the organisation complies with the requirements of the relevant Irish legislation, namely the Irish Data Protection Act (1988), the Irish Data Protection (Amendment) Act (2003) And the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Survey: The survey took the form of an appraisal of aspects of the main parts of the structure including roofs, walls, floors, and finishes, both internal and external, arising out of visual inspection only (i.e., no opening up work was undertaken, and external inspection will be undertaken from ground/ floor level only. No obstructions present at the property were moved).

Inaccessible parts: Where parts of the structure are unexposed or inaccessible no opinion can be given as to their condition.

Latent defects: The lifting or opening out of cladding/linings to walls, ceilings and floors does not fall within the scope of the inspection and therefore, it must be appreciated that defects, such as woodworm or dry rot may be present, but cannot be conclusively identified.

Boundaries: A Boundary Check has not been prepared for the client.

Services: The services installations are visually inspected. The visual inspection cannot assess the services to make sure they work efficiently and safely and meet modern standards.

Drainage: No testing or examination of drainage runs; installations or inspection chambers/ Armstrong Junctions (AJ) was undertaken.

Environmental factors: No tests or monitoring were undertaken in association with environmental or physical factors associated with pollution or contamination of the main structure or site curtilage including issues such as noise, flooding, odours, mining/ blasting or quarrying activities, the presence of asbestos, gases (including radon) radiation, aggregates containing reactive pyrite that can expand, or insulation boards containing chemical PIR 3009 which can shrink, or the like.

Radon: No assessment was carried out in relation to radon levels in the area nor can we confirm the presence or otherwise of a suitable radon barrier to the subfloor area of the subject property/ block. Our Client may consider it prudent to engage a Registered Radon Testing Professional to assess the property. A list of registered professionals is available from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at www.epa.ie.

Flooding: We did not conduct a flood risk assessment at the address as this is a specialist area and does not form part of our instruction. It is recommended, prior to entering any legally binding contract to purchase, that it is confirmed by the Client that buildings insurance is readily available for the subject property to include, inter alia, the insured peril of flooding.

Asbestos: Our Client is clearly advised that, in a property dating pre 1990 (approx.), there may be latent asbestos material to, inter alia, internal wall, floor ceiling, pipework etc. linings that were not readily identifiable during a visual inspection. In view of same, should any works be proposed that would involve interference with the building structure or fabric we recommend specialist advices are sought. Generally, confirmation of asbestos content to a building will require laboratory analysis to determine the type of asbestos material, likely risk to health if interfered with and need for statutory compliance. Should asbestos material be confirmed, we recommend a specialist asbestos removal contractor be engaged to assess the material, confirm asbestos content (or otherwise) and ensure all asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are removed in accordance with The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006); and The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006), as amended and applicable.

Asbestos

Our survey does not include a detailed asbestos inspection. In a property dating pre 1990 (approx.), there may be latent asbestos material to, inter alia, internal wall, floor ceiling, pipework etc. linings that were not readily identifiable during a visual inspection. In view of same, should any works be proposed that would involve interference with the building structure or fabric we recommend specialist advices are sought.

Pyrite / MICA

Our survey does not include a pyrite or MICA inspection. Please note that only destructive testing can categorically rule out the presence of defective fill material. BER (Building Energy Rating) (the BER is provided by the Vendor and must be available when the property is advertised for sale)

Since 1st January 2009, it is a legal requirement that a BER be provided by the Vendor for all existing properties sold or let. The advisory notes included with the BER should be consulted and consideration given to the recommended improvements to reduce heat losses from the property. Further advice on this matter can be given if required.

We do not test for radon gas. Radon gas is naturally occurring and is dangerous, and should be vented away from the dwelling if discovered. For precautionary reasons, we recommend that you have a radon gas test done on the property for your own respiratory health. Note, it is not possible to confirm whether a radon barrier is in place without destructive tests. A radon test may take some time to have a conclusive result. The exact timeline should be confirmed formally with a radon testing company, as long timelines and wait for the vendors are likely not possible in pre-sale scenarios.

In compiling the report, it is assumed that NO high alumina cement concrete or calcium chloride additive or other potentially damaging material was used in any aspect of construction associated with this property.

Your legal advisor should formally investigate whether there are any unusual or especially onerous restrictions, encumbrances or outgoings that may affect the property, right of ways, possible adverse possession, etc.

Building Regulations: As is typical with buildings or alterations and extensions carried out since the introduction of Building Regulations on 1st June 1992, there has been poor attention to detail in terms of compliance with the regulations. As a result of the system introduced at that time, which allowed ‘self-certification’ and the acceptance of ‘substantial compliance’, most buildings have many incidents of non-compliant works. Although we may have commented on issues of noncompliance in the report, we do not set out to highlight each and every individual occurrence and therefore issues may exist in the property but are not specifically commented on - this is not a "Planning Check". The statute under which the Building Regulations are made in Ireland is the Building Control Act 1990 introduced in 1992. Neither this Act, nor the Regulations themselves are applicable retrospectively. This avoids the need for constant improvement of properties to satisfy current standards. It is important to note that the Building Regulations stipulate minimum standards, which must be achieved, but those standards have been improved upon at various intervals since first implemented. Without particulars, in terms of the date of Planning Permission, date of construction etc., it is difficult to comment on certain aspects of compliance with the regulations.

Planning: No planning check will be undertaken.

The liability is limited to a maximum amount equal to the fee paid for the survey.

Legal Advisor: We do not act as the legal adviser to our Client and will not comment on any legal documents. 

Deliberately concealed defects: Many properties are recently repainted or redecorated at the time of inspection. Whilst we will make every effort to look past redecoration, we cannot comment on any concealed defects which are not readily identifiable on visual inspection under normal lighting conditions.