What can an inspector see in a Sandy Hill condo building?

What the inspector can see in a condo comes down to access. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs says a home inspection report "will be limited to describing conditions in the areas of the home that the inspector can see or has access to", and advises making sure the seller or agent makes all areas accessible for inspection.

Ontario.ca's general list of what a home inspector will typically examine covers the foundation, doors and windows, the roof if they are able and it is safe to do so, exterior walls, attics, plumbing and electrical systems where visible, heating and air conditioning, ceilings, walls and floors, insulation where visible, ventilation, drainage, structural integrity, and common areas in a condominium. In a Sandy Hill condo, which of those an inspector reaches depends on what the unit contains and which shared spaces are opened for the visit.

So before the inspection:

• Ask the seller or listing agent which common areas can be opened on the day.
• Ask the inspector how their report records an area they could not reach.
• Plan to be there: ontario.ca says buyers should make sure they are present for the inspection.

The limits are the same as for any home. Ontario.ca says a home inspection is not a pass or fail test and does not assess zoning or building codes, that an inspector cannot see or find everything, and that an inspector does not provide warranties or guarantees on a home's condition.

What the condominium corporation is responsible for, its reserve fund and its status certificate are not inspection questions; those go to your lawyer.

Ask the inspector, when you book, which common areas they ask to see and how much condo work they have done.