Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

A patent defect in a property would include:

1. A noticeable crack in the foundation

2. A hidden leak in the attic

3. Faulty insulation only found during a thermal scan

4. A blocked gutter invisible from ground level

5. An improperly installed roof vent

6. A concealed electrical panel fault

The correct answer is: A noticeable crack in the foundation

A patent defect in a property refers to an issue that is noticeable and can be easily discovered through a reasonable inspection. This means that the defect is apparent and does not require specialized knowledge or tools to identify. In this scenario, a noticeable crack in the foundation represents a situation where a prospective buyer or inspector could see the defect during a standard walkthrough of the property. In contrast, defects such as a hidden leak in the attic, faulty insulation only found during a thermal scan, a blocked gutter that is invisible from ground level, and concealed electrical panel faults are examples of latent defects. These issues are not easily identifiable through a standard inspection and often require specialized equipment or knowledge to uncover. The improperly installed roof vent could also fall into the category of a latent defect if it's hidden from plain view, making it harder to detect without closer inspection. Thus, the identification of a noticeable crack in the foundation as a patent defect aligns with the definition of a defect that is visible and easily found.