Thinking of Buying a House on the Mornington Peninsula
Before you commit to buying a property, there is information available to help you make an informed decision.
Pre-purchase Building Inspection
It’s a good idea to get a pre-purchase building and pest inspection completed by a qualified inspector before you commit to purchasing a property. A pre-inspection report will indicate the condition of the property and identify any issues or defects. The cost of a pre-purchase building inspection is a worthwhile investment if any defects are identified, as it enables you to get an estimate on the repair costs before you commit to purchasing the property. You will find a list of ‘Pre-Purchase Building Inspection’ businesses online and in the phone directory.
Request Building Information
A Building Information certificate will provide details of any Occupancy Permits or Certificates of Final Inspection issued on the property in the previous 10 years, as well as any current Building Notices or Building Orders issued on the property. This certificate may be included in the Section 32 or you can apply for a certificate here Building Information 51(1).
Request Property Information
A Property Information Certificate will tell you whether your land is subject to flooding, bushfire attack or if there are any designated land or works, for example, Water utility assets such as concrete drains or manmade channels, that restrict development. This certificate may be included in the Section 32 or you can apply for a certificate here Property Information 51(2).
Request Building Inspection Information
A Building Inspection Information certificate will provide details of all mandatory building permit inspections undertaken on your property. This certificate may be included in the Section 32 or you can apply for a certificate here Building Inspection Information 51(3).
View Flood Prone Maps
For an overview of flood prone areas within the Mornington Peninsula Shire and how your property might be affected, see Flood Prone Maps. You will need to open the ‘Key Map’ first to identify which particular map you need to open to view flood prone information relevant to your property.
Apply for House Plans
Once you have taken possession of the property, or if you have the owners written consent, you can apply to search for any building permit documentation lodged for your property, including house plans. See Search for Copies of House Plans (Building Permit Documentation).
If you have any plans to build, renovate, develop or extend your property, see Thinking of Building.
Apply for septic tanks plans
If you are not connected to mains sewer, your property will have an Onsite Wastewater Management System (OWMS.) Once you have taken possession of the property, you can apply to search for a copy of the permits. See our Septic Tank Permits page for more information.
If you are unsure whether mains sewer is available to your property, it is recommended you contact South East Water on 131 694.