Questioning the surveyor

jaffs

Okay so homebuyers report came back with some problems, most of which we knew about, major problem is a lot of damp.

I have got to try to get in touch with the surveyor regarding planning permission on an extension, firstly would he actually know about things like if the property had planning permissions, its a repo property and nobody realy knows anything about it.

Secondly if i manage to get to speak to him about the survey and this is my one chance what would people question, is there any point in askin ghim about the damp problems mentioned or would he just say hes put everything in the report. Would he just give me a general overview of the property or just answer any specific questions.

I'm really out of my depth here, dont really understand anything about building so i cant ask any in depth questions, but not sure if there is anything i should question him about generally.

Hammyman

Finding out if there is planning permissions is the job of your solicitor, not the surveyor. The job of a surveyor is to say what physical state the building is in. So if you want to know about planning permission, phone the solicitor.

Cannon_Fodder

You should be able to find planning applications online, if your council has joined the 20th century...

G_M

Hammyman wrote: »

Finding out if there is planning permissions is the job of your solicitor, not the surveyor. The job of a surveyor is to say what physical state the building is in. So if you want to know about planning permission, phone the solicitor.

Or check with the council planning dept yourself?

Definately ask about the damp. Where? Caused by? Symptoms? Tested how?

Did he use a so-called 'damp meter' which actually measures electrical conductivity not damp, or what?

You've paid him money, so you have a perfect right to talk to him.

jaffs

Hammyman wrote: »

Finding out if there is planning permissions is the job of your solicitor, not the surveyor. The job of a surveyor is to say what physical state the building is in. So if you want to know about planning permission, phone the solicitor.

Hmmm its my solicitor who says to contact the surveyor regarding previous extension....

Richard_Webster

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammyman
Finding out if there is planning permissions is the job of your solicitor, not the surveyor. The job of a surveyor is to say what physical state the building is in. So if you want to know about planning permission, phone the solicitor.

Hmmm its my solicitor who says to contact the surveyor regarding previous extension....

A surveyor's knowledge should be such that he should be able to identify a situation where planning permission might be needed.

A solicitor will then ask the seller's solicitor whether or not there is a permission and when the work was done. If, for instance, it is over 10 years old, then it will certainly be beyond any Planning enforcement, and this is often the case after 4 years.

Remember also Building Regulations and Planning are not the same and the work may need to comply with both statutory regimes.

G_M

jaffs wrote: »

Hmmm its my solicitor who says to contact the surveyor regarding previous extension....

Ah! The distinction is between knowing if PP was required, and whether PP was granted!

Your OP said: "would he actually know about things like if the property had planning permissions" answer "No, surveyor will not know if the property had planning permission"

However it may not need PP. That's what you ask the surveyor. If he says "Yes", then you check via local council or solicitor if PP was granted.

giddypenguin

Of course it's worth talking to him. When we had our homebuyers survey done, we read it though, had a whole host of questions (as we'd never seen a survey before) phoned up Mr. Surveyor and we were chatting for about 20 minutes over everything. If you have questions ask - most people are willing to help out, and if your's isn't - don't use him again.

jaffs

G_M wrote: »

Ah! The distinction is between knowing if PP was required, and whether PP was granted!

Your OP said: "would he actually know about things like if the property had planning permissions" answer "No, surveyor will not know if the property had planning permission"

However it may not need PP. That's what you ask the surveyor. If he says "Yes", then you check via local council or solicitor if PP was granted.

Yes sorry perhaps i wasn't clear, there is a previous extension and need to know whether it would have required planning permission, rather than if had planning permission

thanks