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Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

sbs.com.au

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Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#31

Post by viraptor »

bluGill wrote: post #15
paranoidrobot wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.

In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.

It's that something regional for specific access type? My Victorian houses always had the roof hatch accessible - it's just another storage area and needs to be available if you want to rewire something.

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#32

Post by phire »

wrs wrote: post #2

This is fantastic. But wow, the home inspector was really phoning it in that day!

Inspector wound't have had any reason to mention it. They care about structural issues.

The foundation is still clearly visible, they could do their job despite the railway. And they wouldn't have known that others didn't know it was there.

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#33

Post by viraptor »

m463 wrote: post #9
qtwhat wrote: post #7

model train network?! a network to train your large language model?

Better scrupulously check keywords when hiring engineers to work on this. "bringing it up to code" might also be as ambiguous as "engineer"

"Done, it's all up to code, your house has been migrated to the cloud".

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#34

Post by King-Aaron »

qingcharles wrote: post #29
justusthane wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our inspector missed obvious asbestos in the basement — I would have preferred the model trains!

Good news, everyone! It'll be all legal again soon: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114790-trump-administration-to...

Unbelievable lol.

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#35

Post by greenknight »

wrs wrote: post #2

This is fantastic. But wow, the home inspector was really phoning it in that day!

This is in Melbourne, where most homes are sold via auction (because of the limited supply)... lots of people are forgoing building inspections because of it. Wouldnt be surprised if he didnt do one.

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#36

Post by brunker2 »

paranoidrobot wrote: post #5
brunker2 wrote: post #3

How? It was accessible through a door. Nobody - not the seller, agent, himself or any other prospective buyers, or the building inspector he presumably engaged to check the place over before signing contracts - thought to look behind the door? How can you buy a house without checking out the foundations/basement yourself or by a pro?

All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.

Incidentally, I'm in Victoria myself. When I bought my house, the inspector did the works. Multiple roof spaces, got under the house and had a look, full report with photos, phone call consultation to explain everything he saw to me. He even notified the sellers of an urgent issue and they had it fixed that afternoon.

I guess it depends who you hire (and whether or not you want to know about any issues, which is the most compelling reason I've seen in the replies so far for why this was "missed").

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#37

Post by NL807 »

bluGill wrote: post #15
paranoidrobot wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.

In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.

Nonsense. Every house built in Victoria has an accessible hatch to the roof space. The hatches are not sealed either, it's just a lid resting over the opening, which can be pushed upward. Some have hinges, etc.

Re: Melbourne man discovers extensive model train network underneath house

#38

Post by Sgt_Apone »

phire wrote: post #32
wrs wrote: post #2

This is fantastic. But wow, the home inspector was really phoning it in that day!

Inspector wound't have had any reason to mention it. They care about structural issues. The foundation is still clearly visible, they could do their job despite the railway. And they wouldn't have known that others didn't know it was there.

Ours did up a full report with pictures. I also walked through with the guy. Seems like something they would mention, even offhand.
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