Who can survey a house

Locornwall

Several members have commented on my current housing situation, for which I am very grateful.

I have a copy of a structural survey for a house I would like to buy. The company who carried it out cannot be contacted. The surveyor who did the report is not a charted engineer or surveyor. On the report mention is made to what appears to be a family member who is has MRICS after his name, as well as other post nominal letters.

If I am honest I am worried people may be providing services, which they are not qualified to do. Any thoughts on how I can check this, not just for me but for others who pay for these services and those who have spent a long time and money getting qualified?

davidmcn

Anyone can "survey a house". Unless they're lying about their qualifications or (wrongly) using protected professional titles then there's nothing unlawful about it.

If the report you refer to was issued by a firm which is run by chartered surveyors then you can presume that it was supervised by somebody suitably qualified and that you have the same level of protection from their insurance etc as if it were a chartered surveyor who attended. Similarly to solicitors firms, where the work might be done by a paralegal but will be supervised and signed-off by a qualified solicitor.

Locornwall

How can I ensure it’s above board?

The person who has compiled the report is not chartered. A person with the same name as another person mentioned on the report is shown on the RICS website as a valuation surveyor, however I cannot find any mention of them elsewhere attached to the company. They are registered elsewhere. I cannot find them in the companies house register. Suspicious at least?

ReadingTim

Locornwall wrote: »

How can I ensure they it’s above board?

By checking the firm out before you pay for the survey. You did do this right? Or did you not actually pay for this "survey"? In which case, you've got your money's worth from it....

lincroft1710

Several possible scenarios

1. The person who did the survey may be a "consultant", he is qualified but is only occasionally used by the firm in question.

2. The person who did the survey may have let his RICS membership lapse. If a surveyor is retired, semi retired or not engaging in much surveying work, he may decide to save himself some money.

3. The person who did the survey may not yet have passed his Assessment of Professional Competence, but is considered competent and knowledgeable to carry out a house survey

Locornwall

Ha. Yes definitely have, as I didn’t pay for it. But my conscience tells me I need to do something about it, if it’s wrong of course. Having been an avid watcher of homes under the hammer, they always tell people to read the legal pack. If you do and there is misinformation or in essence fraud in there, were do people turn to? Considering this report was for auction, the report surely should cover the sale of it. However it states it’s only for the use of the client.

davidmcn

Locornwall wrote: »

Considering this report was for auction, the report surely should cover the sale of it. However it states it’s only for the use of the client.

Why "surely"? It's quite common for these things to be included for information purposes only. Any (sensible) buyer's due diligence will take account of the fact that they can't actually rely on such reports.

G_M

Locornwall wrote: »

I have a copy of a structural survey for a house I would like to buy. The company who carried it out cannot be contacted. .....

So if I'm reading this right,, you did not instruct or pay this firm yourself? So you have no relationship with either the firm or the individual who undertook the survey. You obtained the survey (free?) from a 3rd party?

it states it’s only for the use of the client.

This is standard. The report is for the benefit of the person whopaid for it.


You cannot rely on the report, nor contact the surveyor for information.


If you have concerns about the property you are buying, instruct a survey yourself.

MEM62

Locornwall wrote: »

How can I ensure it’s above board?

You cannot. And even if you could you have no right of recourse if there are any issues with the survey as you did not commission it. If you have doubts, commission your own survey.

Locornwall wrote: »

Having been an avid watcher of homes under the hammer

Something that is produced for entertainment purposes is not the best source of advice.

Locornwall

I’m not too concerned for me, it’s more for others.

You wouldn’t let an unqualified surgeon operate on a family member or anyone else, therefore why let someone say they are qualified to conduct a structural report. The fact the information has been linked to the sale of a house at least gives the impression it is what is says. If it’s purely for the client, keep it private for them.

ReadingTim

Locornwall wrote: »

I’m not too concerned for me, it’s more for others.

You wouldn’t let an unqualified surgeon operate on a family member or anyone else, therefore why let someone say they are qualified to conduct a structural report. The fact the information has been linked to the sale of a house at least gives the impression it is what is says. If it’s purely for the client, keep it private for them.

Mate, I don't know why you've got your knickers in such a twist over this, but seriously, let it go and move on.

The "survey" is no more than the written equivalent of taking Bob the Builder with you on a viewing and seeing what he thinks. There's no requirement to include it in the legal pack, but is in there for information purposes only. Prospective buyers can take it or leave it as they see fit - they could read it and decide to commission their own survey as a result, or treat it with the same level of scepticism as you would when the vendor assures you that the neighbours are really nice and never have loud parties....

Touching as your misplaced concern is, it just shows that you don't really understand the auction process, or even housebuying more generally.