Surveyors in spotlight over value

Homebuyers are confused by the surveys on offer

Surveyors are failing to spot property defects, which later need expensive repairs, the Consumers' Association magazine Which said.

Confusion about what a survey will include is often at the root of complaints

Helen Parker
editor, Which

Which asked people who had experienced problems with a survey to explain what had gone wrong.

Just under half of those who took part said their surveyor had failed to look at a significant part of the property, such as the roof or back of the house.

In 90% of the cases the surveyor missed a defect which, in some instances, cost thousands of pounds to rectify.

Complicated and expensive complaints procedures made it difficult to seek redress, said Which?

People were also confused about what exactly was covered by the different types of surveys on offer.

Expensive

Three-quarters of the people who had had a homebuyer's survey and valuation (HSV) mistakenly thought that it would identify minor defects.

Almost as many, 70%, thought, wrongly, that surveyors would examine parts of the property that were difficult to access.

One couple said their HSV report failed to identify that the roof needed repairing and the cellar floor was rotten.

The repairs cost £19,000.

There are three types of surveys:

• A valuation gives a brief description of any problems that would seriously affect the value of a property.

• A homebuyer's survey and valuation (HSV) is a mid-range, mid-price service carried out to a standard format. It is not intended to be a detailed survey of every aspect of the property.

• A building survey, previously known as a full structural survey, can be carried out by a structural engineer or surveyor. This type of survey is particularly recommended for all listed buildings, those built before 1900 or buildings which have unusual construction.

Poor value

Helen Parker, editor of Which, said: "Confusion about what a survey will include is often at the root of complaints.

"Many people who contacted us about their HSV believed it would identify all minor defects, when it won't.

"Nor will surveyors examine parts of the property that are difficult to access - another common misconception."

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said that it would now review its complaints procedures and provide more information about what surveys and valuations entailed.

The institution has also published a consumer guide which explains what is, and what is not, included as part of the survey, and what to expect from a survey and the survey report.

It also explains how to find a surveyor, and how to make a complaint and seek redress should something go wrong.

The leaflet is available from Rics on 0870 333 1600 or from its website (see right).

Which used responses from 80 homebuyers to compile its report.