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Terms and Conditions
MERLO Property Inspections – Property Snagging & Condition Surveys

                                                              

​1. Definitions

“Company” / “We” / “Us”: MERLO Property Inspections, providing property inspections, snagging, condition surveys, visual MEP assessments, project oversight, risk reviews, urban planning checks, market valuations, and construction quality control services

“Client” / “You”: Any individual, company, or entity commissioning our services.

“Report”: Any written or digital document, checklist, risk register, observation log, market valuation opinion, photo report, or recommendation produced by the Company.

2. Scope of Services

MERLO provides visual, non-intrusive inspections, risk reviews, and quality oversight for residential and commercial properties.

Our services may include:

  • Property condition surveys

  • Snagging inspections

  • Visual MEP assessments

  • Pre-purchase & pre-works risk reviews

  • Construction quality oversight

  • Urban planning & compliance risk checks

  • Market valuations (non-bank, non-mortgage)

  • Maintenance forecasts

  • Project handover & snagging reports

Important: The Company does not issue legally binding certifications unless explicitly agreed in writing and carried out by a suitably qualified, registered, and insured professional.

        2.1 Apartments and Communal Areas
For apartments or properties within multi-unit buildings, the inspection is limited to the privately owned dwelling only. Communal or shared areas, including but not limited to roofs, stairwells, lifts, corridors, façades, and shared services, are excluded unless expressly agreed in writing.

3. Nature of Inspection & Limitations

All services are visual, non-invasive, and non-destructive.

Reports are limited to visible and accessible areas at the time of inspection.

No responsibility is accepted for hidden, latent, or concealed defects.

Any structural, legal, or regulatory observations are non-certified opinions only.

4. External Areas

External areas, including gardens, terraces, balconies, fencing, boundaries, paved surfaces, and access areas, are inspected visually only.

The inspection does not verify:

  • Legal boundaries or ownership

  • Ground conditions or drainage performance

  • Structural adequacy

  • Compliance with building codes or planning regulations

Any significant defect or safety risk should be assessed by a competent qualified professional.

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5. Urban Planning and Legal Reviews

When urban planning, licensing, or compliance reviews are included, the Company:

  • Identifies potential risk indicators

  • Flags missing approvals or required documentation

  • Recommends verification by specialized professionals or the relevant authorities

The Company does not grant planning approval, provide legal advice, or issue official certifications.

6. Market Valuations

All market valuations provided by MERLO are professional market value opinions based on visual inspection, comparable data, and local knowledge.

They are not mortgage, bank, tax, or legally binding valuations and must not be relied upon for lending, taxation, inheritance, or legal proceedings unless carried out by a certified valuation professional.

7. Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Systems

MEP systems are inspected on a visual, non-intrusive basis only and may include:

  • Boilers, heat pumps, radiators, and visible HVAC equipment

  • Visible electrical outlets, switches, consumer units, and fittings

  • Visible plumbing fixtures and sanitaryware

No operational testing, certification, commissioning checks, or compliance verification is carried out.

A full MEP audit is available as a separate service and must be commissioned independently.

8. Exclusions & Safety

MERLO acts independently and does not manage contractors.

We are not responsible for site safety, construction methods, or contractor performance.

9. Report Limitation

This Report does not constitute:

  • A safety certificate

  • A compliance certificate

  • A warranty or guarantee of condition

Items such as pools, balconies, railings, electrical panels, gas installations, and safety systems are not certified and should be assessed by appropriately licensed professionals prior to use or occupation.

10. Client Responsibilities

Clients must:

  • Provide safe, legal, and unrestricted access to the property

  • Inform the Company of any known hazards, restricted areas, or ongoing works

  • Ensure utilities are connected where visual observation is required

Clients must not rely solely on the Report for legal, financial, structural, or safety decisions.

11. Liability

All Reports are provided for guidance purposes only.

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

  • The Company’s liability is limited to the fee paid for the specific service

  • The Company shall not be liable for:

    • Undiscovered or concealed defects

    • Financial loss, delay, or consequential damages

    • Decisions made without specialist verification​

12. Intellectual Property

All Reports, photographs, and documents remain the intellectual property of MERLO Property Inspections, unless agreed otherwise in writing.

Reports may be used by the Client for personal or transactional purposes only and may not be reproduced, distributed, or published commercially without written consent.

13. Subcontractors

Where specialist services are required, the Company may recommend or engage suitably qualified subcontractors.

Subcontractor services are subject to their own terms, conditions, and liability, which remain separate from the Company’s responsibility.

14. Payment Terms

14.1. Fees & Pricing Basis

Inspection fees are calculated based on the property size (m²) as declared by the Client at the time of booking.
The minimum inspection fee is €280.

The Company reserves the right to verify the actual property size during the inspection. If the property is larger than declared, the Client agrees to pay the additional fee before the Report is issued.

14.2. Payment Terms

Full payment is required in advance of the inspection, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Accepted methods of payment:

  • Bank transfer

  • Bizum

  • Card payment (where available)

The Company reserves the right to:

  • Cancel or reschedule inspections if payment is not received

  • Withhold delivery of the Report until full payment is made

           14.3. Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be notified in writing:

  • More than 48 hours before the inspection: no charge

  • Between 24 and 48 hours before the inspection: 30% of the agreed price

  • Less than 24 hours, no-show, or lack of access to the property: 50% of the agreed price

No refunds will be issued once the inspection has been carried out.

14.4. Rescheduling Policy

Clients may reschedule inspections by notifying the Company:

  • First reschedule with more than 48 hours’ notice: no fee

  • Reschedules between 24 and 48 hours before the inspection: 20% of the agreed inspection fee.

  • Reschedules less than 24 hours before the inspection, failure to provide access, or no-show: 50% of the agreed inspection fee.

Rescheduling fees are calculated on the total inspection fee, including any adjustments for the actual property size.

14.5. Additional Services

Any additional services, such as full MEP audits or re-inspections, are charged separately and must be paid in advance.

14.6. Client Acknowledgment

By booking an inspection, the Client confirms that they:

  • Accept these Payment, Cancellation & Rescheduling Terms

  • Understand that fees are based on per m² pricing with a minimum charge

  • Acknowledge that full payment is required before inspection completion

15. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions are governed by Spanish law.

Any disputes shall first be addressed amicably. If unresolved, they shall be subject to the courts of the jurisdiction in which the property is located.

16. Acceptance of Terms

By commissioning MERLO Property Inspections, the Client confirms acceptance of these Terms & Conditions and acknowledges the limitations and scope of the inspection services.

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