The Home Condition Survey

Buying a house is a major investment – so the homebuyer really needs to be able to make an informed decision. This is where the Home Condition Survey (HCS) comes in.

The HCS is a clear, concise and jargon free report on the condition of a domestic property. The surveyor gives a cost effective service and will inspect and report on the property quickly, allowing the homebuyer to make a speedy and informed decision.

Delivered by specially trained and fully accredited residential property surveyors, the HCS gives the buyer a plain English, jargon-free report on the condition of the property using a simple 1,2,3 rating guide, so it is easy to understand any risks or unforeseen expenditure that could crop up.

Buying a house can be stressful and it is not always in the seller’s best interests to be fully open about its quirks and idiosyncrasies. The HCS tells the buyer about any aspects of the property that need urgent attention or which present serious faults, as well as any longer term repairs that a home owner might have to plan for.

The surveyor inspects the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings, and the parts of the gas, electricity and water and drainage services that can be seen. The surveyor then gives each part of the structure of the main building a Condition Rating, to make the Report easy to follow.

The inspection is ‘non-invasive’. This means that the Surveyor does not take up carpets, floor coverings or floorboards, move furniture or remove the contents of cupboards. However, as with the EPC, the more parts of the property that can be seen, the more accurate will be the report.

The HCS can only be produced by fully qualified and accredited members of SAVA –an organisation which trains and accredits the work of surveyors. Homebuyers can be assured of a comprehensive report produced by a professional, trustworthy individual.

The aim of the HCS is to make the home survey process quicker, easier and more cost-effective for homebuyers – something that is now more important than ever.

For more information on the HCS for solicitors click here

If you are a homebuyer click here

To download a sample of the Home Condition Survey click here

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JMH Home Inspections is a trading name of J M Hoskin Home Inspections