When you're looking to buy a house, you rarely inspect the crawl space during a viewing. Yet, it's crucial to know the condition of the crawl space. There might be mold, often seen along the foundation of a house. In other cases, you might even see a substantial layer of water in the crawl space. Moisture always causes problems in the house, and damp crawl spaces provide the perfect breeding ground for mold, such as cellar fungus. That's why crawl spaces always receive extra attention during a building inspection, which you can always have performed by Homekeur.
A hidden defect isn't a loose skirting board or a crack in the plaster. It's a defect that was already present at the time of purchase, that you wouldn't have noticed during a normal viewing, and that significantly impedes the normal use of the property. Examples include structural moisture problems, serious wood decay in a structure, or foundation issues that affect its stability or usability.
Important: "Hidden" does not automatically imply "liability." The term is often used as a legal weapon, but the assessment is always context-dependent.
When buying a property, a buyer should actively look and ask questions. That sounds simple, but in practice, it means taking signals seriously. For example, if you see damp patches, cracks around window frames, a musty smell, or a recently finished wall that looks "just a little too new," it's reasonable to ask further questions. The older the property, the less you can expect everything to meet modern standards, and the more responsibility falls on the buyer to have risks assessed.
In this context, a building inspection isn't a formality, but a way to replace assumptions with a well-founded assessment. It also helps you determine whether further investigation is necessary (e.g., foundation inspection or moisture measurement).
A seller is expected to share relevant information they know, especially when that information concerns defects that affect usability or safety. In practice, this often concerns issues such as recurring leaks, known crawl space problems, previous structural damage, or a demonstrably defective installation. Disputes arise when a seller "suspected" something but didn't know for sure, or when a problem was temporarily hidden.
The problems that most often escalate after purchase aren't minor cosmetic issues, but rather the "hidden costs." Think of long-term leaks concealed behind a suspended ceiling, wood rot in a balcony structure, or mold growth behind a false wall. Foundation issues also arise: not every crack is a foundation problem, but when cracking is patterned and accompanied by signs of subsidence, it is a serious concern.
The most effective approach isn't to "stamp everything in legal jargon," but to act technically smart: take signals seriously, have inspections carried out, request documentation (invoices, warranties, photos of renovations), and make concrete agreements. Buying a home remains a risk assessment, but you can make that assessment professionally.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
