This unit of competency supports the work of licensed real estate agents, real estate representatives and support staff involved in inspecting managed properties, preparing inspection reports, implementing required repairs and maintenance, and providing landlords with information on options for protecting the value of property.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify property inspection requirements.

1.1 Purpose and type of property inspection are established in line with client requirements and agency practice.

1.2 Inspection procedure and time line are negotiated and agreed with relevant people in line with agency practice and legislative requirements.

1.3 Property documentation and legislative requirements are reviewed to identify critical aspects requiring inspection.

1.4 Access arrangements are coordinated with relevant people in line with agency practice and legislative requirements.

2Inspect property.

2.1 Property is inspected according to agency practice ensuring all relevant aspects of the property are sighted and noted.

2.2 Inspection processes are conducted efficiently and in line with agency practice.

2.3 Appropriate interpersonal techniques are used to gain information on property from relevant people.

2.4 Property condition is analysed against market expectations of normal wear and tear and legislative requirements for the maintenance of leased property.

2.5 Situations requiring specialist advice are identified and assistance is sought as required in line with agency practice.

3Record and report inspection findings.

3.1 Inspection findings are organised in a format suitable for analysis and dissemination in line with client and agency requirements.

3.2 Inspection conclusions are supported by verifiable evidence.

3.3 Inspection report is distributed promptly to relevant people according to client and agency requirements.

3.4 Negotiations are conducted with relevant people regarding actioning of required repairs and maintenance as identified in inspection report.

4Implement repairs to managed properties.

4.1 Database of appropriately qualified and insured tradespeople and other service providers is established and maintained so that reliable repair and maintenance work can be completed without delay.

4.2 Repairs and maintenance are implemented in line with agreed requirements for repairs or replacements, client instructions and legislative requirements.

4.3 Report on repair and maintenance work is supplied to client to indicate completion of work.

5Inform landlord of options for protecting asset value of property.

5.1 Landlord is advised of expected maintenance requirements and expenditure.

5.2 Benefits of systematic, planned preventative maintenance programs are discussed with landlord.

5.3 Accurate records of property maintenance are established and maintained.

5.4 Regular reports are provided to landlord on property condition and options for protecting asset value of property.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

ability to communicate with and relate to a range of people from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

analytical skills to interpret documents such as legislation, regulations and licensing requirements

application of risk management strategies associated with planning and conducting property inspections

computing skills to access agency databases, send and receive emails and complete standard forms online

decision making and problem solving skills to analyse situations and make decisions consistent with legislative and ethical requirements

literacy skills to access and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation and regulations; prepare general information and papers; prepare formal and informal letters, reports and applications; and complete standard forms

negotiation skills to action required repairs and maintenance identified in inspection reports

numeracy skills to calculate and interpret data, such as cost of repairs and maintenance

planning, organising and scheduling skills to plan implementation of property repairs and maintenance

research skills to identify and locate documents and information relating to real estate operations.

Required knowledge and understanding:

common building styles and faults

features of property included in a property inspection, such as:

aesthetic features

defects

structural features

insurance needs of tradespeople and service providers

preventative maintenance programs

property documentation, including:

agreements

building codes

checklists

contracts

licences

permits

plans

previous inspection reports

specifications

property inspection, including:

conduct

planning

process

reasons for and scheduling of property inspections

reports

timing

types

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and local government regulations relating to:

anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity

consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices

employment and industrial relations

financial services

leases

OHS

privacy

property management

risks and risk management strategies associated with planning and conducting property inspections

sources of specialist advice, including:

builders

colleagues

government officials

industry professionals and members of industry associations

managers and supervisors

planners

subcontractors

technical experts

valuers

types of property repairs and maintenance.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed through practical demonstration of conducting and reporting on the inspection of a managed property. Targeted written (including alternative formats where necessary) or verbal questioning to assess the candidate's underpinning knowledge would provide additional supporting evidence of competence. The demonstration and questioning would include collecting evidence of the candidate's knowledge and application of ethical standards and relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and regulations. This assessment may be carried out in a simulated or workplace environment.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

accessing suitably qualified tradespeople and service providers to undertake property repairs and maintenance

applying effective communication and coordination techniques to access property and organise inspection

arranging for implementation of property repairs and maintenance identified in property inspection reports

complying with established inspection processes, noting any variations in approved property requirements, and preparing findings in a report suitable for analysis and dissemination

conducting and completing property inspections within agreed timeframes and in compliance with all applicable industry, legal and organisational requirements

knowledge of agency practice, legislation and ethical standards affecting inspection of managed properties

providing landlords with information on options for protecting asset value of property.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to suitable simulated or real opportunities and resources to demonstrate competence

assessment instruments that may include personal planner and assessment record book

access to a registered provider of assessment services.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be current and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Type of property inspection may be:

at change of tenancy

irregular

periodic

planned

relating to a complaint

relating to illegal works or usage

statutory.

Clients may include:

agents

government and legal instruments or agencies

landlords

property agents

tenants.

Relevant people may include:

landlords and managing agents

tenants.

Property documentation may include:

agreements

building codes

checklists

contracts

licences

permits

plans

previous inspection reports

specifications.

Legislative requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and local government regulations relating to:

anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity

consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices

employment and industrial relations

financial services

leases

OHS

privacy

property management.

Interpersonal techniques may relate to:

active listening

clear and concrete presentations of options

constructive feedback

culturally inclusive and sensitive engagement techniques

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

two-way interaction

use of language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

verbal or non-verbal language.

Specialist advice may be sought from:

builders

colleagues

government officials

industry professionals and members of industry associations

managers and supervisors

planners

subcontractors

technical experts

valuers.

Verifiable evidence may include:

inspection checklists, records and notes

qualitative and quantitative data

visual assessment of the physical aspects of the property.

Appropriately qualified and insured tradespeople and other service providers may include:

licensing and registration requirements

membership of professional and industry associations

public liability insurance.

Unit sector

Property development, sales and management

Real estate

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.