Property Surveys

Our homes are likely to be one of the most expensive purchases we ever make - let alone one of the most stressful - so it is astonishing that as many as 80 per cent of us don't bother to get our properties properly surveyed before we buy them.

Aha, you say, but didn't my mortgage lender make me pay for a survey when I bought the house? Probably so, but that was most likely a valuation report which is intended only to confirm to your lender that the property is basically sound and suitable security for lending. Very often these types of report contain minimal detail and should not be relied upon by you, the purchaser of the property, as proof that the building is in good order. Both consumer's Association publishers Which?™ Magazine and The Council of Mortgage Lenders advise you to arrange a survey before buying a property - don't just rely on a valuation.

Diagnostic Survey

This type of survey is an inspection and report on a particular defect with the property such as cracking, wall tie inspection, damp, rot, insect infestation etc.

Structure Only Survey

This type of survey gives the purchaser an indication of the structural integrity of the property, and includes any serious defects such as dampness, rot, cracking etc. This survey does not include a valuation.

Full Building Survey

The Full Building Survey is the most comprehensive type of survey available. It is an inspection and report on all visible areas of the building and site, but does not include a valuation.

RICS Homebuyers Survey and Valuation Report (HSV)

This is a standardised survey drawn up by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The nine-page form covers each major section of the property but is based purely on what is visible to the surveyor. While it will not reveal faulty wiring or hidden damp, it should however identify areas which need further tests or investigation and should provide a snapshot of the property's condition. This type of survey includes a valuation of the property but is unsuitable for unusual buildings or those that are older than 150 years.

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