Terms and disclaimer

What we do

House Truth does a pre-purchase house inspection: a walk through the house and the grounds, with photos of what we find. You receive two documents by email: a short list of the problems found and a full checklist of everything we looked at, including what we could not check and why.

Booking

You book by email. We reply with the date, the price and the payment terms in writing. The booking is made when you accept that reply. Cancellation and change terms are stated in our reply, so you know them before you accept.

What an inspection covers and does not cover

• We look at what can be seen and reached on the day. We do not open walls, dig, lift fixed floors or ceilings, or take anything apart.
• We do not move furniture or stored items. Anything covered up or hidden, including by previous owners or tenants, cannot be seen.
• We use no tools to look for hidden defects.
• We do not test appliances, electrics, plumbing or gas. An electrician, plumber or gas installer does that and issues the certificates.
• We may decline to enter an area that is unsafe or cannot be reached safely, and we write it down.
• It is not a valuation, not a structural engineer's report and not a check of the building plans or of building regulations.
• It is not a certificate and not a guarantee, and it is not a warranty about the house.

What the report says

The report is accurate as of the day of the inspection, for what was walked through and checked. It lists the problems we found. We do not quote for repairs, we do not give repair advice and we do not recommend contractors. A house can change after the day we visit, and anything not listed was not seen to be a problem on that day.

Your responsibilities

• Make sure we can get into the house and all areas you want checked, and that the owner or occupier agrees to the visit.
• Tell us anything we should know before we start, such as access limits or animals.
• Give us correct information about the property and about who the report is for.
• Read the full report, including the list of what could not be checked.

Who may rely on the report

The report is for the person who booked it and for the property named in it. Others may not rely on it without our written agreement, and it may not be used for another property. You may show it to your attorney, your bond provider or anyone helping you buy the property.

Limit of liability

To the extent the law allows, our liability for any loss that arises from an inspection or report is limited to the fee you paid us for it. We are not liable for loss caused by something that could not be seen, reached or checked on the day, or for loss caused by anything outside our control. Nothing in these terms limits any right you have under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 or any other law that cannot be limited, and nothing limits our liability for gross negligence or for loss we cause on purpose.

Your sale agreement

The report does not change your agreement with the seller, including any voetstoots (sold as it stands) clause. For legal questions about the sale, speak to your attorney or conveyancer.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with an inspection or a report, email us as soon as you notice, with the details. We will look into it and reply in writing.

This website

The information on this website is general. The text, pictures and design belong to House Truth. Please do not copy them without our permission.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the law of South Africa, and the South African courts decide any dispute.

Changes

We may update these terms. The terms in force on the day we confirm your booking apply to that booking.

Contact

Questions about this page, or a request about your information: hello@housetruth.co.za