What is the SBBIS? 

The Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS) is a NSW government program that helps ensure new apartment buildings meet required construction standards.

Under the scheme, the developer pays a bond that’s only released after an independent inspector confirms that any serious building defects — like structural or waterproofing issues — have been properly fixed.

The owners corporation appoints an independent certified inspector (that’s us — Waratah Consulting) to carry out these inspections. Our role is to assess key building areas, report on any defects, and help ensure they’re addressed early and correctly.

 

Why My apartment?

You might be wondering why your unit is being inspected — especially if everything looks fine.

Under the SBBIS, the inspection must cover:

  • A sample of apartments (not just common areas)
  • Balconies and interiors
  • Visible finishes and building elements like walls, ceilings, windows, and doors

Even small issues, like water leaks or poor sealing, can point to bigger problems in construction — that’s why we inspect inside the building, not just outside.

These inspections help catch defects early, before warranties expire or repairs become harder to manage.

SBBIS Apartment Inspection

The Inspection Process

 

  • We schedule set inspection days over consecutive days to visit apartments and common areas. You’ll be offered a range of appointment times to choose from.
  • Appointments are booked in 30-minute slots, which is typically enough time for a thorough inspection of your unit.
  • Before your appointment, you can let us know about any concerns you'd like the inspector to check during their visit (upload information in the email booking).
  • Bookings are confirmed by email and SMS. You can change your appointment up to 24 hours in advance in the booking link.
  • If you can’t be home, you may nominate someone else — like a friend, neighbour, or building manager — to provide access.
  • Our inspectors won’t move furniture or touch personal items — but for safety and to support a thorough inspection, we ask that your apartment is neat, tidy, and clear where possible. This helps ensure key areas like balconies, windows, and wet areas are easy to access and properly inspected.
  • Our inspection is visual only. We don’t move furniture or touch personal items. You don’t need to prepare — just make sure all rooms and balconies are accessible.
  • We require a minimum number of inspections per day to keep the program on track. If you’re not available during the offered time slots, we may not be able to return at a later date.