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Home Survey - What gets checked?

Hi all,

Due to have the survey on our home tomorrow. We know a few things will come up but does anybody know exactly what gets checked?

We have a loose tap that needs tightening but it's boxed in and we can't get to it. Would they check this?

I know it's a small thing but want to keep the list as short as poss as first time buyers and don't want to scare them off with a long list.
Thanks

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Unlikely they'll check each tap on a Homebuyers report - what do you mean by 'Home survey'? What level of survey?

    But if the tap is boxed in, how will the surveyor get access to it? Is this a mains stopcock? (and if so why is it boxed in/inaccessible....?)
  • Doubt taps are checked on a Basic Mortgage Valuation or the Homebuyer Survey. That only leaves a structural survey and very few people get them on a normally structured residential property.
  • AlexMac
    AlexMac Posts: 3,063 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Let google be your friend; for example, one typical surveyor says-

    ' The (Homebuyer)surveyor inspects the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings, but does not force or open up
    the fabric. They also inspect the parts of the electricity, gas/oil,
    water, heating and drainage services that can be seen, but they
    do not test them.
    To help describe the condition of the home, the surveyor gives
    condition ratings to the main parts (or ‘elements’) of the building,
    garage, and some parts outside. Some elements can be made
    up of several different parts. For example, a home can have a
    pitched (sloped) roof to the main building and a flat roof to an
    extension. In this case, the surveyor will give each a condition
    rating...'...
    'The surveyor will carry out only a visual
    inspection. This means that they do not
    take up carpets, floor coverings or
    floorboards, move furniture or remove
    the contents of cupboards. Also, they
    do not remove secured panels or undo
    electrical fittings.
    The surveyor will inspect roofs, chimneys
    and other surfaces on the outside of
    the building from ground level, and, if
    necessary, from neighbouring public
    property and with the help of binoculars.
    They will inspect the roof structure from
    inside the roof space if there is access
    (although they will not move or lift
    insulation material, stored goods or
    other contents). They will examine floor
    surfaces and under-floor spaces so far
    as there is access to these (although the
    surveyor will not move or lift furniture, floor coverings or other contents). The
    surveyor is not able to assess the
    condition of the inside of any chimney,
    boiler or other flues.
    The surveyor will note in their report if
    they were not able to check any parts
    of the property that the inspection would
    normally cover. If the surveyor is
    concerned about these parts, the report
    tells you about any further investigations
    that are needed.'...
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    What is checked depends on the surveyor, however with a Homebuyers Report the surveyor will only check things s/he can see or has easy access to.

    However just because the surveyor hasn't seen something it doesn't stop the potential buyer coming round for another viewing with a builder, another tradesman, an experienced DIYer or just another random person who can see something wrong. In fact even children can find problems.

    One of my own family members caught out one of their vendors trying to hide a hole in the wall by placing a piece of furniture in front of it. However a friend of theirs saw it while their surveyor didn't.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
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