Getting a house survey

An independent property survey will give you a clear picture of its condition.

You’ve found a property you love but you need to know that it is in good condition before you commit to a purchase. Without a survey you may not be aware of costly work that needs to be done. A home survey will help you to avoid any nasty surprises in the future.

We recommend using a surveyor who is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). During a RICS Home Survey your surveyor will conduct an in-depth visual inspection of the property and produce an expert report on the property’s condition. In this report they’ll highlight any problems using a clear traffic light system.

The top five things a surveyor will look for when completing a house survey:

• Are there any problems with utilities?

• Is there any damp?

• Is there cracking?

• Are the roofs ok?

• Are there any timber defects?

You shouldn’t confuse a house survey with the mortgage valuation that you will have to pay for in order to secure a mortgage. A mortgage valuation merely confirms that the property is worth what you are being lent and will not give details on the condition of the property.