Section 137B Reports for Owner Builders
If you carried out building works as a registered owner builder and you are planning to sell the property within 6.5 years of the works being completed, Victorian law requires you to obtain a mandatory inspection report and defects disclosure, known as a Section 137B report, from a registered building inspector.
What the report covers:
A Section 137B report assesses the owner builder works for defects, non-compliance with the Building Code, and incomplete works. The report must be prepared by a suitably qualified inspector and provided to prospective buyers as part of the sale documentation.
Why it matters
Failure to provide the required 137B report can jeopardise your property sale, expose you to legal liability, and create problems with your insurance obligations. Getting this done correctly and early protects you and your buyer.
Our process
Step 1
Contact us with details of the owner builder works
Step 2
We schedule an on-site inspection
Step 3
We prepare the formal report identifying any defects or areas of non-compliance
Step 4
We provide you with the completed report and guidance on next steps
Owner Builder Checklist
If you’re in the process of undertaking owner builder works, keeping track of your obligations will save you significant headaches later. Use this checklist as a general guide.
Before Works Commence:
- Confirm you hold a valid certificate of consent from the Building and Plumbing Commission (required for owner builder work valued at more than $20,000)
- Obtain all required building permits through a registered building surveyor
- Ensure your architectural and engineering drawings are approved before starting
- Check whether a planning permit is also required from your local council
During Construction:
- Do not cover or conceal work before the required mandatory inspections have been carried out
- Contact your building surveyor to arrange each inspection stage listed on your permit
- Keep records of all contractors engaged (including their registration details)
- Ensure subcontractors hold appropriate licences and registrations
On Completion:
- Obtain your Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Final Inspection from your building surveyor
- Confirm the correct insurance applies: Home Warranty covers eligible domestic building work over $20,000 under contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026, and Domestic Building Insurance still applies to contracts signed before that date
- Keep all documentation in a safe place: permits, inspection records, plans and certificates
If Selling Within 6.5 Years:
- Obtain a mandatory inspection report and defects disclosure (your 137B report) from a registered building inspector.
- Provide the report and insurance documents to prospective buyers as required
