Homebuyer Reports
The RICS Homebuyer Service is the most common type of inspection and includes a general opinion upon the condition of the dwelling, both internally and externally.
The homebuyer report presented to you by Robin Austin Surveyors will include details of our inspection of each item and is ideally suited for properties between 5-100 years old.
In some cases there may be limitations upon the inspection. For further information, please check our terms and conditions applicable to this report.
RICS HomeBuyer Service
The RICS HomeBuyer Service includes an inspection, a report and a valuation, and these are all explained in detail in the ‘Description of the RICS HomeBuyer Service’ the surveyor will give you. The RICS HomeBuyer report is a standard format, and is different to a building survey in three main ways.
-
It is designed for particular types of home. These are houses, bungalows and flats that:
- are of a traditional type and construction; and
- are apparently in reasonable condition.
- It identifies what the surveyor considers to be the most important issues. By applying condition ratings to elements of the building, the services and any garages and permanent outbuildings, the surveyor will tell you whether defects are serious or urgent.
- An Open Market Valuation and Insurance Reinstatement
(which you will need for insurance purposes)
can be included at an additional cost.
The report also includes other valuable information.
What else should I know about the RICS HomeBuyer Service?
It is an economical service. Because of the practical limits on the type of property and what the service covers, the RICS HomeBuyer Service is priced mid-range – more expensive than a mortgage valuation, but cheaper than a building survey.
The surveyor’s main purpose in providing
the service is to help you:
- make a reasoned and informed decision on whether or not to go ahead with buying the property;
- make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property;
- take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and
- consider what other advice to take before exchanging contracts (if the property is in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) or concluding an offer (if the property is in Scotland).
The report covers the inside and outside of the building, the services and the site and includes:
- details of the general condition and particular features of the property;
- condition ratings for elements of the structure of the building, the services and any garages and permanent outbuildings;
- particular points you should refer to your legal advisers;
- specific risks associated with the property;
- other relevant considerations – for example, the location, the local environment and the energy performance of the property (if this information is available).
Any defects that the surveyor considers do not need repairing or replacing, or any minor matters that do not affect the value of the property, are generally not included in the report.
If you have a particular requirement that you would like the surveyor to consider, you should discuss this with the surveyor before they provide you with the service.
The main features of the RICS HomeBuyer Service are
compared below with the features of a building survey.
RICS HomeBuyer Service
Building survey
Type of
property
Traditional houses, flats, bungalows and so on, in apparently reasonable condition
Any residential or other property,
in any condition
Type of service
A shorter, less detailed report in a
standard format
A detailed report that is tailored
to suit your needs
Aims of service
To help you:
- make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to go ahead
with buying the property; - make an informed decision on what
is a reasonable price to pay for the property; - take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and
- consider what other advice you need
to take before exchanging contracts
To give you:
- a detailed assessment of the condition and construction of the property; and
- technical advice on any problems and work needed to put them right
Special features
Provides condition ratings for elements of the building, services and any garages and permanent outbuildings
Provides full details of the property’s construction, materials, uses, defects,
and need for future maintenance
Valuation
Can be included at an additional cost as part of the RICS HomeBuyer Service
May be provided as an agreed extra
Form of report
RICS HomeBuyer Report which
is a compact, standard format
In the surveyor’s own format and usually longer, more detailed and technical than the RICS HomeBuyer Report
RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is an international organisation with over 118,000 members and recognised as a trusted mark of excellence by governments, financial and commercial organisations throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide.
Read more…
Which Survey?
Choosing the right survey can sometimes
be a headache! Our simple guidelines
should help you make your decision.
Whether you’re buying, selling or
simply looking for a valuation on
residential or business property we
offer an efficient and impartial service.
Read more…
Useful links
RICS
Valuation Office Agency
Independent Surveyors & Valuers Assoc
UK Land Registry
Leasehold Advisory Service
Robin Austin Surveyors
Suite 6
Chatmohr Business Park
Crawley Hill
West Wellow
ROMSEY
Hampshire
SO51 6AP
Southampton Property Assoc
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