PROENERGIS CHARTERED SURVEYORS NOTTINGHAM
TERMS OF BUSINESS
Housebuyers Report - Full Structural/Building Surveys - Valuations
Housebuyers Report
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
ENGAGEMENT
The Housebuyers Report and Valuation is a thorough inspection of a property which ascertains its condition and value on the day of inspection and will allow you to make an informed decision about your purchase.
The Housebuyers Report is a totally new report format for 2011. It is a far clearer and more user friendly version of the old RICS Homebuyers Report and has been developed following feedback from our clients.
The Report will be carried out by one of our professionally trained and fully qualified RICS Chartered Surveyors. Our surveyors are highly qualified individuals who have appropriate experience in building construction, analysis and assessment. All have :
v At least 15 years experience in undertaking this type of work.
v Full membership of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).
v Insurance that provides cover in the unlikely event that a Surveyor is negligent.
Before undertaking the inspection and preparing the report on your behalf, you should understand the ‘terms’ under which the report is prepared so that you are clear as to exactly what the service you are buying involves.
The terms of the report are set out below. Please read them carefully.
· If you wish, you may contact the Surveyor prior to inspection to discuss the inspection, and any concerns which you may have.
· To help with the inspection, and subsequent report please inform us of any specific concerns you may have. Plus any plans you may have for the future to alter the property.
· Payment of our fee in full is required before we will release any information about our findings. Unless cancellation has been made in writing and confirmed by us, the survey will take place and the fee will become payable.
Cancellation.
· If you wish to cancel the inspection, you must contact us with at least 24 hours notice prior to the appointment date and have received confirmation from us that we are aware of your instructions.
· We shall reserve the right to decline instructions, if the property is deemed unsuitable by the surveyor after arrival at the property.
· We shall endeavour to contact you immediately to inform you of the cancellation, and shall also make arrangements to return the fee.
· The Housebuyers Report is provided solely for your own use. We shall of course forward an electronic copy to your Legal Advisor should you request us to do so. No liability is accepted should any other parties either access, or act upon anything contained within the Report.
· The Contracts Act 1999, (Rights of Third Parties) is not applicable to this agreement.
Unless formerly agreed in writing, the agreement is subject to the jurisdiction and Laws of the United Kingdom, where the subject property is located.
References are made to ‘visual inspection’, this refers to inspection and subsequent comment on items of the property which are observed from ground level within the boundaries of the subject property or adjoining public land. References within the report, to left & right are given assuming facing the front of the property.
The Inspection is only carried out with the occupier’s permission, no damage shall be caused to the building or its contents. The surveyor will not endanger either themselves or the occupiers. Heavy furniture and stored items, are not moved, loft insulation and carpets are not rolled back. Unless identified within the report, it will be assumed that no hazardous or harmful materials have been used in the construction of the property. The presence, and or consequence of any site contamination will not be researched. Comment cannot be given on areas that are covered, concealed or not otherwise readily visible. There may be detectable signs of concealed defects, in which case recommendations are made in the report. In the absence of any such evidence it must be assumed in producing this report that such areas are free from defect.
Items such as TV aerials, cable TV and internet connections, together with fire alarms, and smoke detection units are not inspected. Leisure facilities such as swimming pools, hot tubs etc are also excluded from the report.
Scope of Inspection
|
Part of the Property |
This is our standard inspection. |
|
Chimney stacks |
Visually inspected from ground height only, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Roof including roof space |
Pitched / sloping roof coverings will only be visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. Flat roofs will only be inspected by the use of a 3m ladder or from vantage points with the subject property. Roof/loft spaces will be visually inspected from the hatch area, unless it is safe to enter. The hatch will only be accessed if it is accessible by a 3m ladder and not screwed shut. |
|
Rainwater fittings |
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Main walls |
Visually inspected from ground height with the use of binoculars. Foundations and concealed parts of the structure of the property will not be inspected. |
|
Windows, external doors & joinery |
All windows are doors will be opened when possible, if keys are available.
Doors and windows will not be forced open and / or damaged.
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
External decorations |
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Conservatories |
Visual inspection. |
|
Garages & permanent outbuildings |
|
|
Outside areas & boundaries |
Visual inspection. |
|
Drainage |
Inspection chambers will be lifted where possible and visible pipework will be visually inspected. Private drainage systems (septic tanks etc) will not be inspected. We sometimes cannot raise manhole covers if they are inset with pavings, rusted or screwed down. |
|
Ceilings |
Visual inspection. |
|
Internal walls & decorations |
Visual inspection, and inspected for dampness using a meter. |
|
Floors including sub floors |
No floor coverings, or carpets will be lifted. Surfaces of exposed floors will have a visual inspection. Spaces between floors, will only be inspected from easily accessible inspection hatches. Floorboards are not lifted. |
|
Internal joinery & kitchen fittings |
Built in units and cupboards will be inspected, however no stored items will be removed. Kitchen fittings will be inspected, but no inspection or comment can be made on appliances. |
|
Chimney breasts & fireplaces |
Visual inspection of the exterior. No testing of flues, or flue fittings will be carried out. None of the internal aspects of the chimney breast or flue will be inspected. |
|
Cellars |
Where there is safe access, a visual inspection will be carried out. |
|
Electricity |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to the system or appliances. Visual inspection of the exposed aspects will take place, however no fittings will be removed. |
|
Gas |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to either the installation or appliances. A visual inspection of exposed aspects will take place. |
|
A visual inspection of the accessible pipework, water tanks, cylinders and fittings – without the removal of insulation. Taps will be operated individually, however stopcocks and control valves will not be tested. |
|
|
Heating & hot water |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to the system or appliances. Accessible parts of the system will be visually inspected. |
|
Flats |
Roof spaces will not be entered unless the access is from within the subject flat. Flats and communal areas providing access to the subject flat, will be inspected as outlined above. Communal drainage will not be inspected. Flats roofs on blocks of flats will not be inspected. The block which the subject property is found will be inspected, including external communal areas, to the extent that an opinion can be given on its overall condition and the general standard of repairs & maintenance. |
What this report tells you.
This report tells you:
v About the construction, value and condition of the home on the date it was inspected
v Whether quotes, further enquiries or investigations are needed
v Reinstatement Cost for insurance purposes derived from data supplied by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).
The report’s main aim is to tell you about any defects that need urgent attention or are serious. It also tells you about things that need further investigation.
The report applies clear ‘condition ratings’ to the major parts of the main building. The property is broken down into separate elements, and each element will be given a condition rating:
|
Category 3 |
Category 2 |
Category 1 |
|
Defects which are serious and/or need to be repaired replaced or investigated urgently. |
Defects that require repairs or replacement, but not considered either serious or urgent. |
No immediate action or repair is needed. The property must be repaired and maintained in the normal way. |
What this report does not tell you:
It does not generally tell you about any minor defects that would not normally affect your decision to buy the property.
· The report does not give advice on the cost of any repair work or the types of repair which should be used. Advice about which type of contractor to contact is given.
· The report is not an asbestos inspection under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, nor is it an Environmental Report or Environmental Survey.
· The report can only comment on what the Surveyor can actually see or access within the practical limitations of inspecting someone’s home.
If you need advice on subjects that are not covered by the Housebuyers Report, you must arrange for it to be provided separately.
The Report will provide a summary of information regarding the condition of the property as detailed above, on the day of inspection. We will also provide information on accommodation, general construction, value, location & neighbouring areas.
Building Survey Terms of Business and Conditions of Engagement
General Terms 1. Introduction 1.1. This document sets out the contractual terms upon which Proenergis Chartered Surveyors will advise the Client by means of a written report as to his or her opinion of the visible condition and state of repair of the Property. 1.2. The individual carrying out the inspection and providing advice will be an experienced chartered surveyor. 1.3. The Surveyor will use all of the care and skill to be reasonably expected of an appropriately experienced chartered surveyor. 2. Content of the Report 2.1. the main aspects of the Property including assessing the site/location, the design, structural framework, fabric and services; 2.2. the grounds, boundaries and environmental aspects considered to affect the Property; . 2.3. any requirements for further investigation arising from the inspection. 3. Delivery of the Report 3.1. The Report is to be delivered by the date agreed or at such later date as is reasonable in the circumstances. 3.2. The Surveyor will send the Report to the Client's address (or other agreed address) by first class post for the sole use of the Client. The Client agrees to keep the Report confidential disclosing its contents only to the Client's professional Advisers. In particular (but without limit) the Client must not disclose the whole or any part of the Report to any person (other than a professional Adviser) who may intend to rely upon it for the purpose of any transaction. 4. Payment of Fees The Client will pay the Agreed Fee, any Additional Fees, any VAT and any agreed disbursements prior to the issue of the report 5. Assumptions 5.1. the property (if for sale) is offered with vacant possession; 5.2. the Property is connected to mains services with appropriate rights on a basis that is known and acceptable to the Client; and 5.3. access to the Property is as of right upon terms known and acceptable to the Client.
2Scope of the inspection 5.4. Generally
5.4.1. The Surveyor will consider his or her advice carefully but is not required to advise on any matter the significance of which in relation to the Property is not apparent at the time of inspection from the inspection itself. 5.4.2. The Surveyor will inspect diligently but is not required to undertake any action which would risk damage to the Property or injury to him- or herself 5.4.3. The Surveyor will not undertake any structural or other calculations. 5.5. Accessibility
5.5.1. The Surveyor will inspect as much of the internal and external surface area of the building as is practicable but will not inspect those areas which are covered, unexposed or not reasonably accessible from within the site, or adjacent public areas. 5.5.2. The Surveyor is not required to move any obstruction to inspection including, but not limited to, furniture and floor coverings. 5.6. Floors
5.6.1. The Surveyor will lift accessible sample loose floorboards and trap doors, if any, which are not covered by heavy furniture, ply or hardboard, fitted carpets or other fixed floor coverings. The Surveyor will not attempt to cut or lift fixed floorboards without express permission of the owner. 5.7. Fixed covers or housings
5.7.1. The surveyor will not attempt to remove securely fixed covers or housings without the express permission of the owner. 5.8. Roofs
5.8.1. The Surveyor will inspect the roof spaces if there are available hatches which are not more than three metres above the adjacent floor or ground. Where no reasonable access is available, the roof spaces will not be inspected. Similarly, outer surfaces of the roof or adjacent areas will be inspected using binoculars, but will be excluded if they cannot be seen. 5.9. Boundaries, grounds and outbuildings
5.9.1. The inspection will include boundaries, grounds and permanent outbuildings but will not include constructions or equipment with a specific leisure purpose including, without limit, swimming pools or tennis courts. 5.10. Services
5.10.1. The Surveyor will carry out a visual inspection of the service installations where accessible. Drainage inspection covers will be lifted where they are accessible and it is safe and practicable to do so. No tests of the service installations will be carried out unless previously agreed, although general overall comments will be made where possible and practicable. The Surveyor will report if it is considered that tests are advisable. 5.11. Areas not inspected
5.11.1. The Surveyor will identify any areas which would normally be inspected but which he or she was unable to inspect.
3 5.12. Flats or maisonettes
5.12.1. Unless otherwise agreed, the Surveyor will inspect only the subject flat and garage (if any), the related internal and external common parts and the structure of the building or particular block in which the subject flat is situated. Other flats will not be inspected. The Surveyor will state in the Report the limits of access and/or visibility in relation to the common parts and structure. The Surveyor will state whether he or she has seen a copy of the lease and, if not, the assumptions as to repairing obligations on which he or she is working. 5.13. Environmental and other issues.
5.13.1. Particular noise and disturbance affecting the Property will only be noted if it is significant at the time of the inspection or if specific investigation has been agreed between the Surveyor and the Client and confirmed in writing. 5.13.2. The Surveyor will report on any obvious health and safety hazards to the extent that they are apparent from elements of the Property considered as part of the inspection 6. Hazardous Materials 6.1. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the Report, the Surveyor will assume that no deleterious or hazardous materials or techniques have been used in the construction of the Property. However, the Surveyor will advise in the Report if, in his or her view, there is likelihood that deleterious material has been used in the construction and specific enquiries should be made or tests should be carried out by a specialist. 6.2. Subject to clause 6.2 the Surveyor, based upon a limited visual inspection, will note and advise upon the presence of lead water supply pipes. 6.3. The Surveyor will advise in the Report if the Property is in an area where, based on information published by the National Radiological Protection Board, there is a risk of radon. In such cases the Surveyor will advise that tests should be carried out to establish the radon level. 6.4. The Surveyor will advise if there are transformer stations or overhead power lines which might give rise to an electro-magnetic field, either over the subject Property or visible immediately adjacent to the Property. The Surveyor is not required to assess any possible effect on health or to report on any underground cables. 6.5. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials up to the end of the 20th century, by which time it became a banned substance. Asbestos is not usually harmful unless the fibres can be released into the air by it becoming damaged or showing signs of wear. It is not possible to identify whether asbestos fibres are contained in a building material without a specialist test. Because asbestos was used in such a wide diversity of materials it is impossible to identify all the materials that may contain asbestos and it is beyond the scope of this report to test for asbestos. If you are concerned then you should commission a test for asbestos, which can be arranged on your behalf. 6.6. This report will not identify moulds that could be harmful to health. If mould is present at the time of inspection then it will be recorded and you will need to arrange your own test. 7. Ground Conditions 7.1. The Surveyor will not be required to comment upon the possible existence of noxious substances, landfill or mineral extraction, or other forms of contamination. 8. Consents, approvals and searches 8.1. The Surveyor will be entitled to assume that the Property is not subject to any unusual or onerous restrictions, obligations or covenants which apply to the Property or affect the reasonable enjoyment of the Property. 8.2. The Surveyor will be entitled to assume that all planning, Building Regulations and other consents required in relation to the Property have been obtained. The Surveyor will not verify whether such consents have been obtained. Any enquiries should be made by the Client or the Client's legal advisers. Drawings and specifications will not be inspected by the Surveyor unless otherwise previously agreed 8.3. The Surveyor will be entitled to assume that the Property is unaffected by any matters which would be revealed by a Local Search and replies to the usual enquiries, or by a Statutory Notice, and that neither the Property, nor its condition, its use or its intended use, is or will be unlawful. 9. Insurance rebuilding cost assessment 9.1. The Surveyor will provide an insurance rebuilding cost assessment only if this is agreed at the time of taking instructions. Building insurance cost assessments will be calculated using the current edition of the BCIS Guide to House Rebuilding Costs.
10. Additional Services 10.1. The Surveyor will provide, for an additional fee, such additional services as may be specified in the Specific Terms or are agreed between the Surveyor and the Client and confirmed by the Surveyor in writing. 11. Miscellaneous 11.1. In the event of a conflict between these General Terms and the Specific Terms, the Specific Terms prevail. 11.2. Unless expressly provided, no term in the agreement between the Surveyor and the Client is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by any person other than the Surveyor or the Client 11.3. Where the Client has instructed the Surveyor to make investigations which cause damage to the Property on the basis that the Client has obtained the owner's consent, the Client will indemnify the Surveyor against any loss or cost arising. Dispute Resolution 11.4. In the event that the Client has a complaint regarding the standard of service he or she has received, a formal complaints handling procedure will be followed. A copy of the Surveyor's complaints handling procedure is available upon request. Using the Surveyor's complaints handling procedure will not affect the Client's legal rights 11.5. The Client may only rely upon the Surveyor's advice and Report for purposes described in the Particulars or communicated to the Surveyor in writing prior to the agreement of the Fee and if the client wishes to rely upon such advice and Report for any other purpose he or she may only do so with the written consent of the Surveyor.
ProEnergis Surveyors
Residential Valuation Report Aims This type of report expresses our opinion on the value of a property taking into account your specified purpose for the valuation. It is important that the named client who relies on the valuation knows why it is written. The report will therefore say what the purpose of the valuation is, as will our letter which confirms your instructions. Unless you ask us for a different basis of valuation, we assume that you want to know the "Market Value" (MV) of the property as set out in the definition given by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS Appraisal & Valuation Standards) and which is as follows: "The estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation, between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion". Inspecting the Property We will undertake a limited visual inspection of the property to the extent which is accessible with safety and from within the boundaries of the site and/or from adjacent public/communal areas. We will not carry out a survey or check the building or its services. If you feel that you require a more detailed inspection then please ask for information on the RICS Homebuyer Survey & Valuation (HSV) Service or the more detailed Building Survey Service. Measuring the Property All measurements that we take will be in accordance with the Code of Measuring Practice issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. If for whatever reason dimensions or areas are calculated from plans or other sources them we will state this in the report. What we will assume In order to meet the relevant requirements of the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Manual, the Valuer will make the following assumptions; (1) That no harmful or hazardous material has been used in the construction of the property or has been incorporated since it was originally built and there is no contamination in or from the ground and is not land filled ground. (2) That there are no unusual or unreasonable restrictions or expenses affecting the property. (3) That any legal or other statutory rights do not affect the property and its value. (4) That the property has planning permission and/or building regulation approval for its use at the time of our inspection. (5) That no Radon Gas is present at the property. If you obtain a Building Survey or any other report about the condition of the property or its structure, please show it to our Valuer. Such a report may result in an alteration to our valuation. If these reports refer to certain repairs then you are advised to get quotations before you commit yourself to buying the property. Tenure and Planning Our Valuer will need to know whether the title to the property is freehold or leasehold and whether there are any tenants living at the property. If the property is leasehold, or there are tenants we will need to know the terms of the lease or agreement. We will rely on the information relating to tenure and leases provided by you or your advisers. You should tell us if you want the valuation to take account of any planning permission that has been given (for example to build new buildings or an extension). We will confirm your instructions in our report. Enquiries If you need the valuation because you are planning to buy the property, your solicitor should carry out Searches and make enquiries necessary prior to legal entry to the property being made. He or she must find out whether the person selling the property is the legal owner and should also check things like planning restrictions, planned developments, rights of way and architects certificates. We do not make enquiries on these points, so your solicitor should let us know about any matters revealed by their investigations, which they think we should know about. Confidentiality and Copyright Our report will be provided for the stated purpose and for your sole use as the named client. It is confidential but you may show it to your professional advisers. We hold the copyright to the report and you must not copy it or pass it on to anyone without our written approval. Anyone else who relies on the report does so at his or her own risk. Verbal Advice Very often you are anxious to know details of the report and valuation before receipt of the report. This is understandable but a word of warning. Any verbal advice that we may give you quite naturally has its limitations and it can, on occasions, lead to misunderstandings. You should not therefore take any action, such as committing yourself to purchasing the property, until you have received, read and fully understood our written report and where appropriate discussed it with your professional advisers
HouseSELLERS Report
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
ENGAGEMENT
The Housesellers Report and Valuation is a thorough inspection of a property which ascertains its condition and value on the day of inspection. The reports purpose is to highlight areas of concern that a Surveyor acting for a buyer would highlight in their report, allowing you to take action before you sell which will save time and trouble later on.
The Housesellers Report is a totally new report format for 2011. It is designed to be clear and user friendly and has been developed following feedback from our clients.
The Report will be carried out by one of our professionally trained and fully qualified RICS Chartered Surveyors. Our surveyors are highly qualified individuals who have appropriate experience in building construction, analysis and assessment. All have :
v At least 15 years experience in undertaking this type of work.
v Full membership of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).
v Insurance that provides cover in the unlikely event that a Surveyor is negligent.
Before undertaking the inspection and preparing the report on your behalf, you should understand the ‘terms’ under which the report is prepared so that you are clear as to exactly what the service you are buying involves.
The terms of the report are set out below. Please read them carefully.
· If you wish, you may contact the Surveyor prior to inspection to discuss the inspection, and any concerns which you may have.
· To help with the inspection, and subsequent report please inform us of any specific concerns you may have or items you have noted at the property.
· Payment of our fee in full is required before we will release any information about our findings. Unless cancellation has been made in writing and confirmed by us, the survey will take place and the fee will become payable. Payment can be made by cheque, bank transfer or cash. We do not accept cards. Payment information will be provided for you on our invoice.
Cancellation.
· If you wish to cancel the inspection, you must contact us with at least 24 hours notice prior to the appointment date and have received confirmation from us that we are aware of your instructions.
· We shall reserve the right to decline instructions, if the property is deemed unsuitable by the surveyor after arrival at the property.
· We shall endeavour to contact you immediately to inform you of the cancellation, and shall also make arrangements to return the fee.
· The Housesellers Report is provided solely for your own use. We are happy to forward an electronic copy to your Legal Advisor free of charge should you request us to do so. No liability is accepted should any other parties either access, or act upon anything contained within the Report other than the name of the client on the report.
· The Contracts Act 1999, (Rights of Third Parties) is not applicable to this agreement.
Unless formerly agreed in writing, the agreement is subject to the jurisdiction and Laws of the United Kingdom, where the subject property is located.
References are made to ‘visual inspection’, this refers to inspection and subsequent comment on items of the property which are observed from ground level within the boundaries of the subject property or adjoining public land. References within the report, to left & right are given assuming facing the front of the property.
The Inspection is carried out with your permission, no damage shall be caused to the building or its contents. The surveyor will not endanger either themselves or the occupiers. Heavy furniture and stored items, are not moved, loft insulation and carpets are not rolled back. Unless identified within the report, it will be assumed that no hazardous or harmful materials have been used in the construction of the property. The presence, and or consequence of any site contamination will not be researched. Comment cannot be given on areas that are covered, concealed or not otherwise readily visible. There may be detectable signs of concealed defects, in which case recommendations are made in the report. In the absence of any such evidence it must be assumed in producing this report that such areas are free from defect.
Items such as TV aerials, cable TV and internet connections, together with fire alarms, and smoke detection units are not inspected. Leisure facilities such as swimming pools, hot tubs etc are also excluded from the report.
Scope of Inspection
|
Part of the Property |
This is our standard inspection. |
|
Chimney stacks |
Visually inspected from ground height only, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Roof including roof space |
Pitched / sloping roof coverings will only be visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. Flat roofs will only be inspected by the use of a 3m ladder or from vantage points with the subject property. Roof/loft spaces will be visually inspected from the hatch area, unless it is safe to enter. The hatch will only be accessed if it is accessible by a 3m ladder and not screwed shut. |
|
Rainwater fittings |
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Main walls |
Visually inspected from ground height with the use of binoculars. Foundations and concealed parts of the structure of the property will not be inspected. |
|
Windows, external doors & joinery |
All windows and doors will be opened when possible, if keys are available.
Doors and windows will not be forced open and / or damaged.
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
External decorations |
Visually inspected from ground height, with the use of binoculars. |
|
Conservatories |
Visual inspection. |
|
Garages & permanent outbuildings |
|
|
Outside areas & boundaries |
Visual inspection. |
|
Drainage |
Inspection chambers will be lifted where possible and visible pipework will be visually inspected. Private drainage systems (septic tanks etc) will not be inspected. We sometimes cannot raise manhole covers if they are inset with heavy pavings, rusted or screwed down. |
|
Ceilings |
Visual inspection. |
|
Internal walls & decorations |
Visual inspection, and inspected for dampness using a meter. |
|
Floors including sub floors |
No floor coverings, or carpets will be lifted. Surfaces of exposed floors will have a visual inspection. Spaces between floors, will only be inspected from easily accessible and obvious inspection hatches that are not screwed down. Floorboards are not lifted. |
|
Internal joinery & kitchen fittings |
Built in units and cupboards will be inspected, however no stored items will be removed. Kitchen fittings will be inspected, but no inspection or comment can be made on electrical appliances. |
|
Chimney breasts & fireplaces |
Visual inspection of the exterior. No testing of flues, or flue fittings will be carried out. None of the internal aspects of the chimney breast or flue will be inspected. |
|
Cellars |
Where there is a safe and obvious means of access, a visual inspection will be carried out. |
|
Electricity |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to the system or appliances. Visual inspection of the exposed aspects will take place, however no fittings will be removed. |
|
Gas |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to either the installation or appliances. A visual inspection of exposed aspects will take place. |
|
A visual inspection of the accessible pipework, water tanks, cylinders and fittings – without the removal of insulation. Taps will be operated individually, however stopcocks and control valves will not be tested. |
|
|
Heating & hot water |
No tests whatsoever will be carried out to the system or appliances. Accessible parts of the system will be visually inspected. |
|
Flats |
Roof spaces will not be entered unless the access is from within the subject flat. Flats and communal areas providing access to the subject flat, will be inspected as outlined above. Communal drainage will not be inspected. Flats roofs on blocks of flats will not be inspected. The block which the subject property is found will be inspected, including external communal areas, to the extent that an opinion can be given on its overall condition and the general standard of repairs & maintenance. |
|
Legal Issues |
Any issues that need investigation by your legal advisor will be identified, but not investigated by us. |
What this report tells you.
This report tells you:
v About the construction, value and condition of the home on the date it was inspected
v Whether quotes, further enquiries or investigations would be recommended by a purchasers Surveyor.
v The reinstatement cost for insurance purposes derived from data supplied by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).
The report’s main aim is to tell you about any defects that would come up on a purchasers Survey Report. You will then be able to address these issues before a sale is agreed so as to prevent your buyer pulling out due to unforeseen defects. The report concentrates on items which may cause your buyer to alter their offer for the property. Minor items that would not normally affect a buyers decision to purchase are generally not reported. This is a level two type of report similar to the RICS Homebuyers Report, but for a Sellers use. Its inspection scope is designed to fall between a Full Building Survey and a Valuation report. If you require more technical advice on actual repair methods and construction detail, then a Full Building Survey may be more appropriate and you should discuss this with us.
The reports are usually ready to go in the post or be emailed to you 48 hours after the day of inspection.
The report applies clear ‘condition ratings’ to the major parts of the main building. The property is broken down into separate elements, and each element will be given a condition rating:
|
Category 3 |
Category 2 |
Category 1 |
|
Serious defects which a Surveyor would recommend need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently. |
Defects that a Surveyor would recommend that his client obtained repair quotes for. |
No immediate action or repair is needed. The property must be repaired and maintained in the normal way. |
What this report does not tell you:
· It does not generally tell you about any minor defects that would not normally affect your decision to buy the property.
· The report does not give advice on the cost of any repair work or the types of repair which should be used. Advice about which type of contractor to contact is given.
· The report is not an asbestos inspection under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, nor is it an Environmental Report or Environmental Survey.
· The report can only comment on what the Surveyor can actually see or access within the practical limitations of inspecting someone’s home. We cant always identify hidden or concealed defects and we do not ever damage, dismantle or force open parts of someone’s property.
· The report does not include any investigations into legal issues or planning matters.
If you need advice on subjects that are not covered by the Housebuyers Report, you must arrange for it to be provided separately. We will be happy to discuss this with you to ensure you get appropriate advice.
