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Owner-occupied home
Owner-occupied home

Error in a building inspection

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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources

Did a building inspection miss a problem? Check the assignment, accessible parts and warnings before holding the inspector liable.

General information about Dutch law · Reviewed on · How we work

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Read the scope of the inspection

Review what was inspected, which areas were accessible and whether further investigation was advised. An inspection is not a guarantee that every hidden defect will be found.

Substantiate what was missed

Keep the report and photographs from then and now. Ask an expert whether the problem should have been identifiable during the agreed inspection.

Report your complaint to the inspector

Describe what error you believe the inspector made and what costs you incurred as a result. Also have the contractual conditions and any claim against the seller assessed. It must then be clear whether the error caused your loss.

Your checklist

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Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.

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Inspector's assignment and terms

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List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.

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Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.

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For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.

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  • Inspector's assignment and terms
  • Inspection report
  • Independent assessment and costs

Frequently asked questions

Does a defect discovered later prove an inspection error?

No. It also depends on what the inspector had to and could inspect and what disadvantage any error caused.

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Request help through our chat. We assess which professional fits your question. Review your details before sending. A request is not yet an instruction to provide services.

Sources and further information

Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries — hidden defects ↗ACM ConsuWijzer — work not carried out properly ↗

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