Beware of illegal construction.
Buying a secondhand house is a great option for those who dream of homeownership. It offers affordable homes in desirable locations, easier loan approval, and lower interest rates compared to new homes. However, buying a secondhand house also comes with important precautions, particularly regarding construction or modifications that may violate building regulations. Failure to inspect thoroughly before purchase could lead to subsequent demolition and repair costs.
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Inspect Before Buying a Secondhand House: Avoid Later Demolition
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has received numerous complaints from owners of secondhand houses who were unaware of illegal construction or modifications, including those related to the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (amended by Act No. 2 B.E. 2535) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Building Control Regulations B.E. 2544. These violations result in owners having to bear the burden of subsequent demolition and repairs after ownership transfer. Therefore, the "Inspect Before Buying, Avoid Later Demolition" project was launched to help prevent this hardship for secondhand house owners. This project involves obtaining a certificate confirming the building's compliance with building regulations. This can be done according to the following details:
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1. Those wishing to request an inspection must be the owner of the building. Supporting documents must be attached with the application, including: a copy of the applicant's national identification card (for individuals), a certificate of company registration (for legal entities), a copy of the land title deed and/or building ownership certificate, a copy of the building permit and a copy of the approved building plans and diagrams, the purchase and sale agreement for the building being inspected, and a simplified plan showing the building's location.
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2. For buildings not exceeding 4 stories, the inspection request should be submitted to the Public Works Division of the district office where the building is located.
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3. For buildings exceeding 4 stories, the inspection request should be submitted to the Building Control Division, Public Works Department.
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4. After the application is submitted and the documents are verified, a follow-up notice will be issued within 15 days.
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5. After the inspection, the officer will submit their opinion to the Director of the Public Works Department and the District Director for approval.
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6. If the second-hand house does not have any illegal construction or modifications, a certificate will be issued to the building owner. However, if any violations of building control laws are discovered during the inspection, a certificate cannot be issued.
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The benefits of this second-hand home inspection program include reducing the damage caused by purchasing a second-hand home that has been illegally modified or constructed. It also increases knowledge and understanding of building control laws and ensures that your second-hand home purchase won't create future burdens and problems. Therefore, careful inspection is crucial before deciding to buy a second-hand home, as there are many second-hand homes for sale today, some legally and some illegally. For even greater peace of mind, choose a reputable project or agency with verifiable documentation, such as government housing projects from the Government Housing Bank, to prevent problems and damages, allowing you to truly own your dream home in comfort and peace of mind.
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Thank you for the valuable information from REIC.
