Posts Tagged ‘Surveyor’

I just wanted to inform you that I have bought the flat – the sellers have agreed to subtract 10,000 from the price.  It might have not been the wisest decision, but I just really liked this appartment so much.

Thanks again for your help – you have been terrific and if someone I know asks me for a surveyor, I will definately refer them to you!

All the best, Sabine

THIS WAS E-MAILED RECENTLY – ANOTHER SATISFIED CUSTOMER!

Stuart Parrett – AUG 2010

HIPs are dead. A new Government is in place. Power to the People seems to be high on the agenda. The Economy is stuttering forward. Our football team ….. well, enough said! What now?

Over the last few months I have helped and overseen my Parents sell their home of 48 years standing and buy a home down-market. The key areas I want to talk about include —-

1. Choosing an Estate Agent
2. Deciding what information, and in what form, we could produce to help speed a sale through.
3. The Solicitors and dealing with buyers in the chain.

Being a local Surveyor/Valuer all the Agents wanted my Parents instruction. I advised my Parents after considering who would be buying their home and matching that “profile” to the sales record and “typical profile” of each Agency. A sole agency was agreed and a marketing strategy and what advertising would be completed. That was fairly easy but it did emphasis to me that all Estate Agencies are different and use differing tactics and skills to package themselves in order to obtain selling instructions. We ignored those tactics and looked under the surface to see what real skills each Agent had. We were not displeased with our final choice – in fact the Agent was simply brilliant throughout.

Next my Parents and I sat down and filtered through vast amounts of paperwork collected over 48 years. We defined several key documents that our own Solicitors would need – Planning Permissions and related Building Regulation Control Approvals with original Plans, Guarantees etc…. Again, this was easy.

Legal FORMS duly arrived and my Parents had to tick boxes for this and that and decide what was staying and what was to be taken away with them (not always easy to decide).

Eventually, and quite quickly because we had the price right to achieve a disposal, a buyer was found: in fact the whole chain was only three properties long and the top end was “empty”. Simple? No, not quite.

The chain was assembled quickly. What then did not happen was all three Solicitors meeting to decide a plan to achieve a simple and pain free transaction and to then inform the home owners of that plan and what to do if things became problematic. Instead a date was set for exchange and only at that point did all documents get a thorough scrutiny. That scrutiny revealed that elderly Parents had missed ticking that their home had mains gas and electricity (heating was via mains gas and the utility room is dominated by a floor standing large gas boiler and flue plus the Estate Agent details state all mains services are connected + the home has light fittings and power sockets for electrical gear). My Parents buyer and legal adviser could not accept the risk that my Parents home may not have these services and exchange was delayed until they could tick the boxes and return the Form.

Next came the Tree.

Now this is a fairly massive Wellingtonia that pre-dates the house by about 100 years. It is well within “influencing distance” of the house and drains and because its roots were causing damage to the public road outside my Parents house I declared that problem to the buyer whilst also pointing out the only cracking (minor) to the house.

The buyer chose to not have any private survey completed because the house was going to be adapted, expected and very significantly refurbished after detailed Planning Permission and Building Control applications were passed.

My Parents had no knowledge of buying and selling and were highly nervous of what to expect with each solicitor delay the degree of stress increased. The delays experienced were for many causes, including some via my Parents lack of knowledge and understanding.

The house my parents were buying was empty and when exchange of contracts was finally agreed they wanted to get Builders in to complete fairly minor works such a new Sink, one room to be redecorated, minor re-wiring, etc…. but the sellers only gave us a few days to arrange and complete this. This meant that when my elderly Parents actually occupied they went into a bombsite rather than a nice interior adapted to their medical needs.

I am not ranting here: this is not a witch-hunt. Instead I am trying to square the actions and needs of many people and comparing this with the service levels we received from several sources and attempting to ask and answer “is this how people should treat each other in this new century?”.

I have not mentioned the story of how one Agent nearly sold my Parents another home only to see that Agent shot themselves in the foot and those actions costing my parents several hundred pounds is abortive fees. Indeed, the above overview only details main events – many tales of delay and outright stupidity staggered me then and now.

HIPs were poorly designed and lacked the one thing that could have added true value to data exchange – a seller survey that the buyer could rely upon and sue if found to be bias or inaccurate.

In my simple, humble opinion, many changes are needed to regulate buying/selling and to put service levels and common sense at the heart of things.

Buyers must prove they have approved/sufficient funds available before any sale can be agreed. Yes, this means Mortgage Certificates need to be introduced coupled with a professional assessment of what value that persons existing home may achieve shortly. By this method an Agent and Seller could assess the real, effective buyers.

Agent Details should be of greater detail and anything printed thereon should be guaranteed (honest errors excepted) by that Agent before they can market any home. HIPs had a high legal content but the data was presented in a gooble-de-gook way. Environmental Data was similarly presented such that at one stage my own business was getting multiple phone calls each week from buyers asking for a translation service! If the usual legal Forms were also prepared by sellers, and checked/verified by solicitors, BEFORE the home reached the market then the period between “offered accepted” and “exchange” would greatly shortened and both hassle and red-tape would be reduced.

I do not hold to the view that this causes unnecessary costs and delays to marketing homes. Of course I am biased in favour of seller surveys but the over “greater good” is served if such changes were made. It just cries out to me that the existing selling system we have reverted to simply panders to the Agents rather serving the client, the great British Public, buyers and sellers.

Mortgage Lenders and Solicitors plus my own controlling body, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have a great deal to answer for in turning the defunct HIP opportunity to achieve real social change into a farce that was eventually scraped. If the public truly believes our current house buying system and both Agency and Legal service standards are adequate then, like Diego Maradona, I will run naked through the streets of my home town.

I would love the hear your views if you have recently bought and/or sold your home and especially if you had problems that required solutions to be found.

Surveyors get told to do all sorts of things and at all sorts of times but do you know the options available to you? Do you know how to get the best out of a Surveyor? Do you know when it might be best to speak to a Surveyor?

Everybody seems to think differently when it comes to what to expect of a House Surveyor. Here I outline what I think you might need to know for the most common case scenarios.

1. Thinking of Selling? One option is to consider placing a Home Condition Report (HCR) within the Home Information Pack (HIP) on your home. The same Surveyor could also complete the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The HCR is something a potential purchaser, and the Mortgage Valuer/Company, can rely upon and sue the Surveyor if it is negligent. You may think a HCR is a good idea if you wanted to prove your home was in good condition OR if it had serious problems and you wanted to define those problems so bidders did not make over-cautious purchase bids to you.
2. If you own a home that is “System Built” (or is registered under the Defective Premises Act 1972) again you may wish to consider the benefit of a Sellers Survey (HCR) to attempt to remove some of the stigma that can attach to such homes.
3. If you are considering buying a home at Auction you have a greater number of survey options. On the one-hand you don’t want to waste too much money and so you might wish to consider simply asking a Surveyor to walk around the home with you to discuss what he is seeing and to verify no major defects exist. Such a “look around” is not a proper survey but provided you can accept that the Surveyor will not produce a written report and cannot accept any liability for such a restricted inspection then you are on track to buy that bargain and have reduced your risks considerably. Alternatively, you could ask a Surveyor to produce a R.I.C.S. Homebuyers Report (that includes a Valuation opinion).
4. Buying any type or size of Home – remember you always have the option to ask a Surveyor to take an informal look around for you (often with you so you can ask questions etc…). This may be termed a pre-survey meeting at the premises. PROinspect have 15 inspections products and so we can cover nearly every customers request for surveys.
5. Buying a fairly simple, modern home – The most popular survey product in the UK is the R.I.C.S. Homebuyer Report (2010 version) – termed the HOMEBUYER REPORT (HBR). This is a product designed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is the middle-tier product designed to be brief but factual. It includes a proper site inspection, survey report on condition, market valuation and an estimate of the Rebuild Cost of the building for insurance purposes. The HBR is termed a Level 2 survey product.
6. Buying a larger, expensive or Period home, perhaps in a Conservation Area or one that is Listed – Your options are a Level 2 survey product such as the Homebuyer Report (if the Surveyor thinks this is wise) or a full Building Survey with or without Market Valuation and/or Rebuild Cost assessment. A Building Survey is a top-of-the-range product and I add a word of caution- (1) only experienced surveyors should be completing such products and (2) many products exist that look like Building Surveys but are not. MAKE SURE your Surveyor comes recommended and that you have spoken to the Surveyor – one to one – before you proceed so you can get some idea of his Professionalism and general attitude.

The Golden Rules are –

• Instruct a Surveyor when your solicitor gives the OK after your loan valuation has been completed and your mortgage finance is verified (not simply offered, subject to terms).
• Always speak to the Surveyor who is to inspect your new home: do not be palmed off with only speaking to a secretary, junior assistant or office manager.
• Ask for a survey product recommendation AFTER you have provided full details of the property you are buying (age, price, number of bedrooms, address, etc…).
• Make sure your Surveyor is locally based, knows of the property construction type and is generally experienced both professionally and locally.
• Make sure you will be able to speak directly with your Surveyor after he has delivered your Report.

If your home/property is in southern England I invite you to call me to discuss your exact needs. Stuart Parrett +44 (0)1489 896 174.

Before you call Countrywide Surveyors, Ekins Surveyors, Allied Surveyors or Local Surveyors Direct you might want to think about several matters first:

1. Can you actually talk to a Surveyor, the one that will do your survey? You need to gauge if they are sensible and businesslike and you will probably have certain concerns you need to communicate to the Surveyor.
2. Have they asked the all-important-essential-questions BEFORE they assessed what you actually need?
3. Is the Surveyor not only qualified and insured but also fully knowledgeable in the geographic district of the house you are buying?
4. This is the clincher – does the Surveyor complete at least twice as many surveys as simple loan valuations alone? This will tell you if he/she is a jack-of-all-trades or a specialist Surveyor, as opposed to a Valuer who happens to do a few surveys.
5. If they simply asked you for the value of the home, or how many bedrooms there are, then you know they are going to standardise whatever they do for you and not personalising their service to your needs.

If all the above are satisfactory to you, and the fee quote is reasonable then you are in business: if not, call PROinspect immediately

Stuart Parrett FRICS, MAE, dipHI

As only a small minority of buyers have any private survey we at PROinspect are concerned for thePublic. HIPs were to have Sellers Surveys, the best thing possible for buyers, but disinformation and politics managed to knock it out of sight.

So What do you need to do – When and How?

Don’t ring a Surveyor and say “I need a survey, how much do you charge?”. This does not give the Surveyor a chance to understand what you are buying and making a recommendation on the best survey product. The Surveyor could, in many scenarios, save you many pounds if you will only take the time to listen.

It all starts with how you approach your private Surveyor………..

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What are you buying – House Bungalow Flat.

How old is it? – Victorian Modern 1930′s etc….

How big is it? – No of Bedrooms? No of reception rooms? etc….

What is its general state? – Modernised? Well presented? Derelict?

What price have you offered OR what is the Asking Price?

Where is it? – Which Town or Post Code etc….

Do you have specific plans for the home?

Do you have specific concerns about anything?

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These matters allow the Surveyor to understand YOU and what you are BUYING. Once you have agreed the survey product and a fee cost and issued an clear instruction for us to proceed we will need the following type of data from you:-

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Required Customer Information

PROinspect and our customers must communicate and agree at least the following data and terms:

1. Client name and full address (if more than one person then multiple data is needed).
2. Home, work and mobile call details of each client.
3. Preferred E-mail address of each client.
4. Full address of home to be inspected (including post code).
5. Home access method and details (typically an Estate Agents full details).
6. If a home HIP exists – the full reference number of that document in sufficient detail to allow us to download it.
7. If the client knows what survey product they need then please provide the NAME of that product OR tell us what is worrying you about the home.
8. What extras to the standard service level are needed?
9. Fee agreement – the sum, how and when it will be paid etc… We usually require full payment before we submit our Report or findings to the customer.
10. The urgency of the transaction (do you have any pre-agreed deadlines?).
11. Full details of your solicitor (including call number, name and personal e-mail address).

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PROinspect will then e-mail or mail our verification, business Terms, product scheme, Conditions plus fee Invoice.

We will contact the Agent or Home Owner and do all that is necessary to inspect the premises and to report to you. Once you have our verified Fee Quotation and Terms/Conditions, and have indicated your full agreement o our service(s), then we do everything leaving you free of the stress and worry of having to organize anything.

It really is simple – if you are looking, or live in, Southern England call me for further advice and opinion.  +44 (0)1489 896 174 or use the CONTACT FORM above. Stuart Parrett.

The following are examples of typical TERMS or DESCRIPTION of SERVICES that PROinspect offer.

All tasks must be subject to TERMS as this allows Professional Indemnity Insurance to be verified and will be available to customers should PROinspect act in a negligent manner.

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We apologise for the length of this Web Page but such terms are essential reading:-

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STANDARD TERMS (of all services offered):-

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The Service	Surveyor will provide the standard Service (“the service”) level described in the “Description of the Service” unless you and the Surveyor pre-agree, in writing, before the inspection is scheduled or completed that the Surveyor will also give you additional advice.
Surveyor Qualification	Surveyor providing the service will be a full Member or Fellow of the Royal Institution of the Chartered Surveyors (RICS), who has the skills, knowledge and experience to survey, value and report on the property.
Before the inspection	The customer must tell the Surveyor if there is already an agreed, or proposed, price for the property, and if you have any particular concerns about the property, or plans to extend/alter etc… the home.
Terms of Payment	Customer agrees to pay the Surveyor’s fee charges and any other agreed charges or disbursements agreed in writing (whether formally demanded or not).
	PROinspect normally request full payment in advance of dispatch of your Report. Details of how payment can be made will be provided on the Invoice sent to the customer. Your failure to arrange immediate payment may delay your property transaction with us and PROinspect can accept no liability for any consequences of that delay.
Cancelling the contract	You are entitled to cancel this contract (ALL documents supplied to you from PROinspect form the contract) by giving notice to the Surveyor at any time BEFORE the inspection is made (please call 078 3636 3040 for this purpose).
	Surveyor can cancel – if upon arriving at the property he/she finds a mismatch between his skills, knowledge and experience and the actual property form OR a serious mismatch exists between the description of the property provided by the customer and the actual property, then notice of termination can be served accordingly EG: Surveyor may decide that in your best interests a full Building Survey should be considered either by him/her or a more specialist Surveyor in that property form. Full reasons for the cancellation will be provided.
	If you cancel this contract the Surveyor will refund any monies paid for the service, except for any reasonable expenses.
Liability	The Report is provided for your use alone and the Surveyor cannot accept responsibility if it is used by anyone else.
Complaints	Surveyor will have a formal Complaints Handling Procedure (a document). A copy can be provided to you on request.
	These procedures/terms form part of the contract between you and the Surveyor for the stated task.
Upgrade?	It is not usually possible to upgrade an inspection instruction to a higher range product because our site protocols differ for each survey product. It is therefore vital you fully discuss your survey product options with a Surveyor before you request any particular product.

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R.I.C.S. HOMEBUYER REPORT (new version)

Description of the Service

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The Service includes:	(1) An inspection of the property (2) a report based on that inspection (3) a valuation THESE ELEMENTS ARE DISCUSSED BELOW.
Designed to help you…………………………	Make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the home. Make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the home. Take account of any repairs or replacements that the home needs. Consider what further advice you should take before exchanging contracts / committing.
The Inspection:	Surveyor will inspection the inside and outside of the main building (of the home being inspected) and all permanent outbuildings, but does not force or open up the fabric. This means that they do not take up carpets or floor coverings or floorboards, move furniture, empty cupboards, remove secured panels/traps/hatches or undo electrical fittings.
	Inspection will be of reasonably accessible parts that can be seen from within the home plot or from public areas closeby/alongside.
	The Surveyor may use equipment such as a damp-meter, binoculars, torch, and may use a portable ladder for flat roofs etc… no more than 3 metres above level ground (outside) or floor surfaces (inside) if it is safe to do so.
Services to the Property	These are often hidden within the construction of the home and, as a result, only the visible parts can be inspected. Services turned off will not be re-commissioned for subsequent viewing purposes by the Surveyor.
	The Surveyor will not carry out specialist tests, or test or access the efficiency of electrical, gas, plumbing and heating or drainage installations (or whether they meet current Regulations) OR the inside condition of any chimney, boiler or other flue.
Outside the Property	Surveyor will inspect the condition of boundary walls, fences and permanent outbuildings and areas in common (shared) use. To inspect these areas the Surveyor will walk around the grounds and any neighbouring freely accessible land/areas (accessible public property).
	Buildings with swimming pools and sports facilities are also treated as permanent outbuildings, but the Surveyor will not report on the leisure facilities , such as the pool itself and its equipment, landscaping and other facilities (eg – tennis courts and temporary outbuildings and structures).
Flats / Maisonettes	Surveyor will assess the general condition of the outside surfaces of the building, as well as its access areas (shared hallways, staircases and so on). Roof spaces will be inspected only if the Surveyor can gain access to them from within the Flat being inspected.
Excluded services	Surveyor will not inspect drains, lifts, fire and smoke alarms or security systems.
Dangerous materials, contamination and environmental issues	Surveyor will not make enquiries about contamination or other environmental dangers. However, if they suspect a problem, they should recommend a further investigation (to be actioned by customer). Surveyor may assume that harmful or dangerous materials have been used in the construction, and does not have a duty to justify making this assumption. However, if the inspection shows that these materials have been used , he/she must report this and ask for further instructions.
No Asbestos check	Surveyor will not carry out an Asbestos inspection and will not act as an asbestos inspector when inspecting properties that may fall within the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
	Within Flats the Surveyor will assume that there is a Dutyholder (as defined within those Asbestos Regulations), and that an Asbestos Register and an effective Management Plan is in place which does not need any immediate payment or present a significant risk to health. The Surveyor will not consult the Dutyholder.
The Report:	Surveyor produces a report of their inspection for you to use but cannot accept any liability if it is used by anyone else. If you decide not to act on the advice in the report, you do this at your own risk.
Report focus:	The report focuses on matters that, in the surveyor’s opinion, may affect the value of the home if they are not dealt with. Non serious/urgent disrepairs (normal maintenance items) may not be reported.
Report format:	The report is in a standard format and includes the following sections:-
Report sections -	A – INTRODUCTION TO THE REPORT B – ABOUT THE INSPECTION C – SUMMARY OF THE CONDITION RATINGS D – ABOUT THE PROPERTY E – OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY F – INSIDE THE PROPERTY G – SERVICES H – GROUNDS (including shared area for Flats) I – ISSUES FOR YOUR LEGAL ADVISERS J – RISKS K – VALUATION L – SURVEYOR’S DECLARATION What to do now Description of the HomeBuyer Service House Diagram
Condition Ratings (see below)	Surveyor gives condition ratings to the main parts (or “elements”) of the main building, garage, and some outside elements (gardens/grounds etc…). These ratings are defined as -
1 (green)	No repair is currently needed. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
2 (amber)	Defects that need repairing or a replacement but are not considered to be either serious or urgent. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
3 (red)	Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.
NI	Not Inspected (EG – not accessible or not applicable to the home inspected).
Limitations	Surveyor will note in the report if they were not able to inspect or check any parts of the property that inspection would normally cover. If the surveyor is concerned about these parts, the report tells you about further investigations that are needed.
No repair cost advice is given	Surveyor will not report on the cost of any work to put right defects or make recommendations on how these repairs should be carried out. However, there is general advice in the ‘What to do now” section at the end of the report.
	If, during the inspection, the surveyor identifies issues that your legal advisers may need to investigate further, references will be made in the report.
	Surveyor will state the pre-calculated (by others) Energy Efficiency Rating and Environmental Impact Rating (as stated on the Energy Performance Certificate on the home, if available when this HomeBuyer report is being dispatched to the customer. However, the Surveyor will not specifically comment upon any legal documents or any documents that may be included within the Home Information Pack.
	Surveyor reports upon property-related risks or hazards that will include defects that need repairing or replacing; as well as issues that have existed for a long time and cannot reasonably be changed but may represent a health & safety risk or hazard.
	If the property is Leasehold, the surveyor will give you general advice and details of questions you should ask your legal advisers.
The Valuation	Surveyor will give opinion on both the Market Value of the property and the Reinstatement Cost at the time of the inspection (see detailed comments below).
Market Value	“Market Value” is the estimated amount a property should exchange for, on the date of survey inspection, between a willing buyer and a willing seller, in an arm’s length transaction after the property was properly marketed wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.
Valuation assumptions	When deciding Market Value, the surveyor will also make the following assumptions – In respect of materials, construction, services, fixtures and fittings, and so on –
	an inspection of those parts which has not been inspected would not identify significant defects or cause the surveyor to alter their valuation -
	No dangerous or damaging materials or building techniques have been used in the property
	There is no contamination in or from the ground, and the ground has not been used for landfill
	The home is connected to, and has the right to use, the mains services mentioned in the HBR
	Valuation does not take account of any furnishings, removable fittings and/or sales incentives of any description.
Legal Matters	Surveyor will assume that:-
	The property is sold with “vacant possession”  (your legal team can advise you here), and
	The condition of the property, or the purpose that the property is, or will be, used for does not break any laws or regulations; and
	No particularly troublesome or unusual restrictions apply and that the home is not affected by problems which would be revealed by the usual legal enquiries, and that you have applied for and acted in line with all necessary Planning Permission and Building Regulation Permissions/Consents (and any Conservation Area or Listed Building Notices) including permissions to make alterations; and
	The home has the right to use the mains services on normal terms, and that the sewers, mains services and roads giving access to the home have been formally adopted (are under Local Authority control); and
	Surveyor will report any more assumptions made, or found not to apply; and
	If the home is leasehold (tenure), the general advice referred to above will explain what other assumptions the Surveyor has made.
Reinstatement Cost No connection with Market Value.	This is the cost of rebuilding an average home of the type and style inspected to its existing standard using modern materials and techniques and in line with current Building Regulations and any other legal requirements.
	This includes the cost rebuilding any garage(s), boundary or retaining wall(s) and permanent (only) outbuildings plus clearing the site. It also includes professional fees, but does not include VAT (except of fees).
	The Reinstatement Cost will help you decide on the amount of buildings insurance cover you will need for the property.
	For some unusual, complex or especially large homes the Surveyor may not be able to calculate a Reinstatement Cost in which case you would need to employ the services of a Quantity Surveyor to produce the required calculation of rebuild costs. In some other cases the Surveyor may have to calculate an equivalent cost for a replacement dwelling of differing specification because of known Planning policies/restrictions etc…

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BUILDING SURVEY

Outline Description of the Service

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GENERAL SCOPE:	The Survey will be carried out with the care, skill and diligence reasonably expected of a competent Chartered Surveyor and will comprise a thorough visual examination of all reasonably accessible parts. The purpose of the inspection and report is to advise the Client of the Surveyor’s opinion of the condition and standard of construction of the building at the date of inspection and to report on any major faults and defects found.
	Should you require investigations beyond the scope of inspection set out below, we will be pleased to arrange this, subject to the Vendor’s written consent and acceptance by the Client of the additional costs involved.
	The Surveyor will carry out such work as is reasonable in his professional judgment, bearing in mind the limitations of the inspection. The report will not purport to express an opinion about or to advise upon the condition on un-inspected parts and should not be taken as making any implied representations or statements about such parts.
NO DAMAGE WILL BE CREATED:	Our inspection will be undertaken, and the report prepared, in accordance with these Standard Terms of Business, limitations and assumptions detailed below. No damaging investigative or exposure work will be completed.
LIMITATIONS:	The Surveyor will inspect as much of the surface area as is practicable and will lift loose floorboards and trap doors where reasonably accessible, but will be under no obligation to raise fixed floorboards or to inspect those areas of the property that are covered, unexposed or are not readily accessible.
	Inspection will exclude any roof space where there is no reasonably accessible roof hatch, and the outer surfaces of any roof that cannot be readily seen. Flat roofs over 3m (10ft) above ground level will not be inspected unless there is reasonable access from other parts of the building (although, if safe to do so, we will use a portable, telescopic ladder that may reach single storey flat roof height).
NO SERVICES TESTS	The Surveyor will not arrange for the testing of services, (including a drain test), unless specifically instructed to do so.
	Compliance of services with regulations, adequacy of design and efficiency can only be determined following a specialist’s assessment and test. Should you require further advice in this respect, you must obtain reports from appropriate Specialists before entering into a legal commitment to purchase.
	Except where the contrary is stated, parts of the structure and of the woodwork, which are covered, unexposed or inaccessible, will not be inspected.
	Certain faults or defects may only be apparent intermittently. For example, leaking chimney stacks or overflowing gutters may only be apparent in heavy or driving rain. Our report can only identify those defects, which are apparent in the conditions existing at the time of inspection.
ACCESSIBILITY:	Our inspection of the exterior will be limited to those parts which can be seen from ground level within the boundaries of the property, and from any adjoining public areas, highways etc.
	Removal of fitted carpets, floor coverings and furniture will not be undertaken; the presence of such items will limit inspection.
	We will not form any trial holes to inspect foundations or below ground structures and, therefore will not offer any warranties as to their adequacy other than where defects in such elements have caused visible and obvious defects in the building superstructure.
	We will describe the general condition of the grounds and boundaries in the immediate vicinity of the main building but will not comment as to the condition of grounds or boundaries elsewhere on the site.
INSURANCE COVER:	We recommend that you make sure that the building’s insurance policy contains adequate provision against, inter alia, subsidence, landslip and heave and tree-damage.
HEALTH RISKS?	We will advise if there are transformer stations or overhead power lines which might give rise to an electromagnetic field either over the subject property or immediately adjacent.  An assessment of any possible health risk as a result of electromagnetic fields is outside our expertise but we may recommend that you obtain further advice. We will not be able to report on the proximity or existence of any underground cables.
CONTAMINATION?	No investigation or enquiry will be made into any possible contamination of the site or nearby land or property. However, where we have local knowledge that contamination may be a potential problem, we will comment as appropriate.
RESTRICTIONS?	We will assume that the property is not subject to any unusual or especially onerous restrictions or covenants which apply to the structure or affect the reasonable enjoyment of the property.
	The inspection will not include checks to establish whether the construction meets the criteria of Building Regulations, the NHBC or other statutes and standards. Such checks can be undertaken by prior arrangement for an additional fee.
PLANNING:	We will assume that all Listed Building, Conservation Area, Planning, Building Regulations, Bye Laws and other consents required have been obtained for new buildings, alterations or extensions, etc. No checks will be made to verify whether such consents have been obtained.
	Drawings and Specifications for the construction of a building or extension or for the execution of any alterations/ repairs will not be examined unless by prior specific arrangement.
LEGAL MATTERS:	No enquiries will be made into such matters as boundary maintenance, tenure, covenants, rights of way, easements, guarantees, road improvement schemes, etc. Enquiries into such matters should be made to your legal advisors.
LIMITED SERVICES INSPECTION:	A brief inspection and general comment will be made of exposed cables, plumbing and the inside of drainage inspection chambers where the covers are readily visible and accessible and can be lifted intact without undue difficulty (for Flats, this clause differs – see later comments). Modern drainage access points are often fitted with covers fixed down with screws; screw fixed covers will not be raised.
	Burglar alarm and fire alarm systems, water softeners, bottled gas installations etc. are specialist fields and are outside the scope of the report.
	Services which have been disconnected or turned off will not be reconnected or turned on without the prior consent of the owner and the attendance at the property of a plumber, electrician, central heating engineer, etc. as appropriate.
	No inspection or assessment will be made of telecom, internet, satellite, television, radio, mobile phone, etc. installations or reception.
ASSUMPTIONS ……..	In making the Report, the following assumptions will be made:
Deleterious materials	That no High Alumina Cement concrete or Calcium Chloride additive or other deleterious material/infestation (i.e: Asbestos, Anthrax, PCBs, Mundic, Radon Gas, Termites) was used in the construction of the property. It should be noted that high alumina cement should not have been used after 1975 and that calcium chloride additives were effectively banned in 1977.
Restrictions	That the property is not subject to any unusual or especially onerous restrictions encumbrances or outgoings and that good title can be shown.
Local Search matters?	That the property and its value are unaffected by any matters which would be revealed by a Local Search and replies to the Usual Enquiries, or by any Statutory Notice, and that neither the property nor its intended use is or will be unlawful.
Non-inspection	That inspection of those parts that have not been inspected would neither reveal material defects, nor cause the surveyor to alter the report and advice materially.
OUTBUILDINGS & GARDEN AREAS	Permanent outbuildings will be inspected less critically than the main building and will be reported on in more general terms and only major defects will be identified. Leisure installations such as tennis courts, swimming pools etc. will not be inspected.
Party Walls & Boundaries	No attempt will be made to identify the extent of ownership or liability for maintenance of party walls and boundary features.
Main dwelling ONLY	The grounds and boundaries in the immediate vicinity of the dwelling will be inspected and reported upon in general terms. No inspection will be made of grounds and boundaries remote from the main dwelling.
DISCLOSURE REPORT COPYRIGHT RETAINED:	The Survey Report will be for the private and confidential use of the named Client and his professional advisors only and may not be reproduced in whole or in part or relied upon by any third party for any use whatsoever without the express written authority of Stuart Parrett (the Surveyor). We retain copy copyright of your Report and any dissemination, copying or other broadcasting thereof is expressly forbidden unless we have pre-agreed and appropriate similar copyright clauses are imposed upon all those that may read or rely upon our Report (but no liability can be provided from our single named client(s) to any other source or client).
VERBAL ADVICE?	We will, if specifically requested, give preliminary verbal advice after inspection but prior to the Client’s receipt of the written report. However, any such verbal advice should not be construed as a representation or warranty and should not be acted upon. The client should allow sufficient time to read, understand and consider the written report and any recommended supplementary reports prior to committing himself to purchase and exchange of contracts.
LATENT DEFECTS?	In accordance with the requirements of our insurers, we will reproduce their “latent defects” clause verbatim.
	We have not inspected woodwork or other parts of the structure which are covered, unexposed or inaccessible and we are therefore unable to report that any such part of the property is free from defect.
	We must stress that we have not carried out any investigation to determine whether high alumina cement was used during the construction of the building inspected and we are therefore unable to report that the property is free from risk in this respect. Neither have we made any investigations concerning the presence of Radon gas in the area nor whether or not the land has been affected by landfill operations or contamination of land.
CONTAMINATION ISSUES?	We must also stress that we have not carried out any investigation to determine whether asbestos was used in areas of the construction. We are therefore unable to report that any such part of the property is free from risk in this respect.
	This property and its value may be affected by contamination, including by the presence of asbestos. Identification of contamination is highly specialist work, for this Practice is not qualified or accredited.
	Our report/valuation is therefore based on the assumption that no contamination exists and that, before you place any reliance upon it for any purpose, you will:
	Commission an expert or experts to determine whether any contamination is present on the property or may be threatened from an adjoining property.
	Seek advice on the cost of any remedial action to overcome any contamination.
	Advise us of that cost in order that we may revise our advice/valuation to take account of that contamination.
NO VALUATION OPINION REQUIRED	The Report will not include a Valuation opinion. A Market Valuation can be provided if required, but this will be subject to other Conditions of Engagement and will attract an additional fee.
IF A VALUATION IS REQUESTED:	WE WILL ISSUE A SEPARATE DOCUMENT DEFINING THIS ANNEXED SERVICE.
INSURANCE REBUILD COST ASSESSMENT?	Where an Insurance Reinstatement Costing is provided this will be on the basis of an equivalent but not identical building (built to current Building Regulation Standard). Sometimes Insurers may require a differing basis such as a pro rata replacement part of the structure within which the Flat is located or a simplified modern equivalent building. If the client requires a differing basis of assessment this must be stated at the instruction stage. For Period buildings we will provide an opinion on the latter basis (simplified modern equivalent) unless the client specifically requests otherwise in which case an instruction perhaps to a firm of Quantity Surveyors may be appropriate so a Bill of Quantities can be costed (invariably a costly process!). In assessing the current reinstatement cost the Valuer will have due regard to the Association of British Insurers / Building Cost Information Service & House Rebuilding Cost Index.  The assessment will not include loss of rent nor the cost of alternative accommodation for the reinstatement period.

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MARKET VALUATION Report

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What we will do:	A professionally qualified Valuer will provide a written opinion of market value as defined in accordance with assumptions provided by the client or as stated below. A survey will not be completed. A Report is typically about 1 to 3 pages in length.
Insurance Rebuild cost Assessment –   if specifically requested by the client (this will not be provided unless fee quoted for and specifically requested by the client):	Where an Insurance Reinstatement Cost Assessment is also provided this will be on the basis of an equivalent but not identical building (built to current Building Regulation Standard). Sometimes Insurers may require a differing basis such as a pro rata replacement part of the structure within which a Flat is located or a simplified modern equivalent building. If the client requires a differing basis of assessment this must be stated at the instruction stage. For Period buildings we will provide an opinion on the latter basis (simplified modern equivalent) unless the client specifically requests otherwise in which case an instruction perhaps to a firm of Quantity Surveyors may be appropriate so a Bill of Quantities can be costed (invariably a costly process!). In assessing the current reinstatement cost the Valuer will have due regard to the Association of British Insurers / Building Cost Information Service & House Rebuilding Cost Index. The assessment will not include loss of rent or the cost of alternative accommodation for the reinstatement period. In the case of flats and maisonettes the rebuild cost figure will be for the flat or maisonette only and it will be necessary for the clients legal advisers to establish and advise whether the insurance arrangements relating to the remainder of the Block or Building(s) are satisfactory (especially their adequacy for mortgage security purposes).
Liability to whom?	The Report is provided for the use of the sole named client(s) and is totally confidential to them and their Professional Advisers for the current stated single purpose. No responsibility is accepted to any other party nor for any other or additional purpose. The Report is time conscious to a maximum period of three months but in poor or highly active markets the client is reminded valuation changes can take effect within days in some cases.
Fee Charges:	The client will pay promptly upon request from the Surveyor the agree fee as per the Invoice sent with these “Conditions” or at any later date. Any expressly agreed disbursements to also be paid promptly on request. All cheques received will immediately become the exclusive property of this Practice. All overdue amounts will attract interest (3% over Bank Base Rate) and essential charges. All Practice costs involved with debt recovery will be charged to the client by additions to the outstanding sums each month (inc. Court fees and for our professional time and any legal costs). In the event of the actual premises being materially more valuable or extensive to that as described by the client to the Valuer then additional fee charges will be claimed and prior to dispatch of the report. Again the Surveyor cannot accept any claim for such losses etc.. due to such delay or clients mis-description (whether intentional or otherwise).
What we are to do:	The Valuer will undertake a visual inspection of so much of the exterior and interior of the subject home as is accessible with safety and without undue difficulty – until attendance on site the Valuer cannot know in advance the full extent of his/her inspection (carpets, furniture, vendors attitudes, etc… all restrict to some extent the inspection possible). Accordingly the inspection will include all those parts that are accessible and not covered and whilst the Valuer is standing at ground level outside and also within the subject premises plot plus adjacent communal or public areas and whilst standing at the various subject units floor levels. Services & any Leisure facilities will only be identified. No condition or safety survey or tests will be completed.
Limitations?	Furniture, floor coverings, fixtures & fittings will not be lifted or moved and cupboard contents will not be disturbed. No damaging investigative work will be completed. If it is suspected hidden material defects could exist, the Valuer will recommend more extensive and possibly Specialist further investigations prior to the client committing themselves to the property.  In exceptional circumstances the Valuation opinion will be deferred until receipt of recommended further investigative Reports. Where the Valuer relies on information provided, this will be indicated in the Report, with the source of the information. Coupled with site observation this is relevant in the context of reporting significant alterations and extensions so as to alert your Legal advisers so appropriate enquiries can be made to verify permissions etc.. have been obtained (often loft conversions without permissions and approvals can invalidate subsequent insurance claims).
Assumptions	Unless it is made apparent by an express statement in the Report the Valuer will have made the following assumptions and will be under no duty to verify these assumptions:-
Your legal advisers need to verify the applicability of these matters.	that full vacant possession will be provided; that planning permission and statutory approvals for the building(s) and their use, including any alterations and extensions, have been obtained; that no deleterious or hazardous materials or techniques have been used or inserted and that the site, adjoining and closeby land (and buildings), is not contaminated in any way; no unusual or especially onerous restrictions, encumbrances or outgoings exist and that good title can be shown; premises and their value are unaffected by matters revealed by inspection of any register or by local search and replies to the usual enquiries, or by a Statutory Notice and that neither the property, nor its condition, nor its use, nor its intended use, is or will be unlawful; and moreover that the value would not be affected by the possibility of any entry being made in any Register; that inspection of those parts which have not been inspected would not reveal material defects upon which the Valuer would seek to alter valuation or other advice previously given; that the premises are connected to all mains services which are available on normal terms; that sewers, mains services and the roads giving access to the subject home have been adopted; that in the case of newly constructed property, the Builder is a registered member of NHBC or equivalent and has registered the subject property strictly in accordance with the scheme concerned and no Road nor sewer charges are applicable to purchasers; that in the case of flats and maisonettes the cost of maintenance and repairs to building(s) and site are shared equally between all occupants pro-rata, and that no onerous liabilities are outstanding; no Managing (or Others) Agents enquiries will be made;
Advice to Client Legal Advisers:	It is the duty of the clients legal advisers to research the clients Valuation Report and take appropriate action to verify information such as the following:- the assumptions given above; any information provided to the Valuer (as stated); details and adequacy of the lease; town planning, statutory or environmental factors; roads and services, contravention of building/fire regulations or other Statutory Notices; if Leasehold that a long term of years remains and at a low Ground Rent.
Definition of MARKET VALUE:	Unless otherwise stated any development value is to be excluded from “market value” as will any potential element of value of furnishings, removable fittings and fixtures, sales incentives of any description; portable and temporary structures will also be so excluded. The definition of “market value” is the best price reasonably obtainable on an unconditional basis for cash consideration on the date of valuation (Report date if not specifically stated) assuming :-
	a willing seller; prior to the valuation date a reasonable period for proper marketing (to agree price and terms) and for the completion of the sale has elapsed; that the state of the market, level of values and other circumstances were, on any earlier assumed date of exchange of contracts, the same as on the date of valuation; that no account of any additional bid by a purchaser with a special interest be considered. This definition is subject to change as directed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
General Matters: Complaints?	The Report & our Valuation are confidential and we retain copyright. No reproduction or Publication in any form or manner can be completed without our express written permission. These Conditions define our duties and the level of our Service to you the client. They are based upon those defined for guidance purposes by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and do not affect any rights you have under UK Law. In the event of any dispute or complaint we ask the client to initially inform our Valuer and to allow us a subsequent opportunity to re-attend at the subject home accordingly, if we so require. PROinspect have a fully documented Complaints Handling Procedure – full details can be made available to you upon request.
ACTION NEEDED BY YOU, THE CLIENT=	Your agreement to these Conditions is required prior to despatch of your Report. Any verbal report given to you must not be relied upon – Valuers liability is expressly denied until you are in receipt of our official, written Report.

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ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (non-new domestic home only)

OUTLINE TASK TERMS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF A DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSOR FOR NON-NEW HOUSING/FLATS:

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Scope of inspection	The Assessor will be fully qualified and insured for the stated task of inspection a residential unit and subsequently generating an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Client to ensure required data is passed to the Assessor.	The Assessor will data collect all required information to achieve this stated objective. The client is reminded that the EPC will only be as accurate as the data that is visually detectable or provided by the client themselves. Unintended failure to detect or obtain thermally important information will probably result in inaccurate thermal assessment and therefore an unreliable EPC that could adversely affect the sale/letting prospects of the subject property. Clients proceed in any property transaction in the knowledge of such risks. Your co-operation with the Assessor is essential to reduce or prevent such errors and mistakes.
What will the Assessor do, and when?	Contact the stated client to agree a mutually convenient property inspection to produce the EPC. Such inspection must be for the whole property (inside and outside) and be accompanied by a responsible adult who has knowledge of the history of the property and any thermal or other alterations/improvements completed. The Assessor will inspect the property is accordance with all Industry Standard regulations and guidelines as set down by Government, DEA Assessment Centres and Governing Bodies.
	The responsible adult on-site should have copies of any documents relating to alterations and improvements (and any past EPCs) available for the Assessor to view.
	Most inspections may take up-to-30 minutes on-site and perhaps a further 24 hours to prepare the report itself.
Prior registration of your EPC:	Each EPC must first be registered with a Government Database upon an internet, secure site BEFORE it can be provided to the client.
	Fees accrue for use of software to produce the EPC and to register it with the Government database. Once registered a Report cannot be altered (alterations would mean that a new report would have to be generated with repeated upload charges/costs).
	Aborted instructions may therefore accrue expenses in addition to the value of the time taken by the Assessor – an individual judgement, on what fee will be charged, will be made by the Assessor but we reserve the right to potentially charge the full fee. However, if the Assessor has not left his/her office then no fee will be chargeable.
Delivery of your EPC:	The Report itself will only be made available as an electronic copy; this will be issued as a URL address obtained from the Government database website whereby if visited the client can enter the reference (24 digits consisting of 5 sets of 4 digits, each set of 4 with a hyphen between) and download the EPC to their own computer(s) for private or business use.
Complaint?	Should the client have need to make any complaint(s) our system is as follows:- Initially a telephone call direct to the Company/Assessor – You are advised to then, if not satisfied, to commit that query to a letter – Depending of the scale of the query/complaint, the Assessor will either then pass the problem onto Professional Indemnity Insurers and/or their qualification Assessment Centre for further actions.
Fee Charges:	The client is liable to pay the stated/agreed fee charges and any aborted task fee charges PLUS debt collection charges and/or interest (the latter at 3% over Bank Base Rate). Fee charges are due for payment immediately as no credit facility has been agreed with the client. Non-payment of fees, whether demanded or not, may invoke debt charges and interest after only 10 days of our receipt of your instruction (unless differing, specific arrangements have been agreed in writing).

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EXPERT WITNESS REPORTS

TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT / SINGLE-JOINT EXPERT

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ACCEPTANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS

1                  We require clear written instructions from the Solicitor(s) giving a full description of their requirements of us; the precise scope of our instructions, questions to be addressed etc… These will be repeated within our Report: (note that in cases involving the instruction of us (Stuart Parrett) as Single Joint Expert – SJE – we will require precise instructions to be pre-agreed between Solicitors/Parties and to be identical from both Parties BEFORE we will begin any actions to advance the instructions).

2                  We will only accept instructions where we have the requisite professional training, knowledge and experience appropriate to the task outlined by Solicitors/Parties and where we can clearly complete the task(s) set within the timescale and agreed fee rates stated;

3                  Solicitors should specify the deadline by which the Surveyor/Valuer should submit his/her final Report; if such deadline is, or becomes during the case, unrealistic this Practice will immediately so notify the Solicitors; Our actions up until that point will be fee costed on an hourly rate charge scale and invoiced to the parties for payment within 21 days after which interest will become due as from the original date of the invoice and debt clauses will become operative (as outlined later in these Terms).

4                  This Practice will make it clear to Solicitors/Parties of any part of the commission with which we are unfamiliar, or not qualified to undertake, or on which we require further clarification or information or authority to obtain Specialist Sub-Contractor comment or services (EG: to facilitate access, to assess specialist services, to lift heavy items, etc…).

5                  In cases where I am required to investigate defects or circumstances surrounding methods of inspection, that I will not cause damage (by way of invasive investigations) unless with express written permission of the parties (and/or property owners): any costs to achieve such access, and attendant reinstate of such damage, will be fully reimbursed to the Expert Witness (any and all such costs will be identified within our fee invoice that will be sent to the same addresses from which we received our initial instruction in this case).

6                  Following from (4) above we will state if any part of the commission would be best, in our opinion, completed by other individuals, in which case :-

6/1                  prior agreement will be sought from the Solicitors, and

6/2                  the names, details and qualifications of same will be recommended to Solicitors for verification purposes.

7                  This commission will be subject to the Regulation and Standards imposed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: the RICS Practice Statement [PS] & Guidance Note [GN] “Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses” will therefore apply and, where appropriate, the CPR, or other rules, will apply. In respect of the former (RICS PS/GN) we can, upon your written request, supply a copy of the document that will include the addition of our Complaints Handling Procedure.

BUSINESS CHARGES

8/1                  For the task as currently outlined to this Practice we ask Solicitors/Parties to confirm the following as being acceptable to them for our services (this Practice is registered for vat – currently at the Standard Rate of Tax – all fees quoted are subject to the addition of VAT, as applicable): all fees and agreed charges and costs must be paid within 21 days of dispatch of our Invoice (parties liable for such payments but who will pass these on to another authority/body/individual/tribunal etc… must obtain an indemnity from that additional source that they will arrange for full payment to be made within this timescale and any special requirements they may have to achieve that state).

8/2                  Stuart Parrett will personally action this commission; his hourly charge is £105 per hour for reading the commission papers, obtaining any additional information, site inspection (if applicable) and preparing Reports as required. PLUS :-

8/2/1                  Travel costs will be assessed at 45p per mile or actual costs expended for train, taxi, plane, parking etc… Any unavoidable Congestion Charge, or other such travel levy/tax/cost, will be charged as a disbursement and added to agreed fee charges for payment by the client.

8/2/2                  Travel time will be additionally costed at £50 per hour but only after the first 30 minutes of any single journey;

8/2/3                  Attendance at Court will be charged at £120 per hour upon arrival at Court until leaving the premises;

8/2/4                  Court appearance will mean that the Expert must re-read the full File and Report and fee charges, at the standard hourly rate, will apply accordingly;

8/2/5                  Where a late notification of a cancelled Court appearance is given we reserve the right to charge an “abortive diary date” fee – this charge will be calculated at the rate of £750 per day or pro-rata part thereof where we cannot re-schedule other fee productive tasks;

8/2/6                  Disbursements will be charged “at cost” – see also item 13 below (reference Report copies and Photography);

8/2/7                  This Practice will, in the absence of clear Solicitor/Parties indication to the contrary, at the confirmation of instruction stage, look to the Solicitor(s)/Parties for full payment of fees and charges so invoiced – we reserve the right to request fee stage-payments (if Fee payment is not entirely within the power of those providing written instructions to us then we will require signed statements from other persons that are so responsible and their agreement to full payment within 21 days of our demand – see items above regarding debt recovery and please remember that we seek a full indemnity from those liable for fee payments that our full costs and charges will be reimbursed to us, including Court Fees and the professional charges of Debt Recovery Agencies).

INTEREST RATE & CALCULATION?  TO BE AGREED

METHODS OF PAYMENT?  TO BE AGREED

INTERIM PAYMENTS?   TO BE AGREED

PRE-PAYMENTS?   TO BE AGREED

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

9                  We will comply with the Bye-Laws of Regulations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; of which Stuart Kevin Parrett is a Fellow; and in particular that we will act in accordance with the R.I.C.S.  “Appraisal and Valuation Manual” {the Red Book} and the RICS Practice Statement & Guidance Note “Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses” and, where appropriate, the CPR, or other such rules.

10                  When giving evidence at court our role will be in assisting the court and we will remain independent of the parties.

11                  This Practice, and any individual employed by this Practice and working on this particular commission, will disclose any direct or indirect association (formal, personal or otherwise) or connection with the client that may influence work for the client – any such actual or potential conflict of interest will be reported to the Solicitor(s) as soon as such becomes known or arises.

12                  The Surveyor or Valuer will assess the need to visit the premises, any “comparable transactions” addresses (for both this Practice and those of the other parties “comparables”) and also whether an interview with the Parties (and any conditions that may need to apply to such meetings) is required and where so will ask the Solicitors/Parties for access arrangements and/or other details accordingly;

THE REPORT

13                  Unless circumstances dictate otherwise the final written Report (5 copies hard copies will be supplied as part of the agreed fee structure – additional copies can be supplied at typical production costs of £25 per copy PLUS £1 per photographic copy contained therein) will typically cover the following areas :-

13/1                  basic information such as names, addresses and dates

13/2                  a summary of our findings/conclusions

13/3                  purpose in presenting the Report, and description of matter investigated

13/4                  the history of the matter

13/5                  methodology used in investigation

13/6                  details of any documents referred to, or seen/relied upon

13/7                  facts ascertained

13/8                  inferences drawn from the facts, with reasoning

13/9                  Appendices such as summary of the Expert’s qualifications and experience; important documents/references supplied or referred to; matrices of results of complex or key/core issues; photographs; diagrams/plans;

14                  Copies of our instructing letters and documents referred to will be copied and provided within our Report (Solicitors/Parties prior approval is hereby granted and will NOT be sought again – such prior approval being implicit in the parties agreement to so instruct us).

CONFIDENTIALITY

15                  The identity of the client or any information about the client acquired in the course of the commission shall not be disclosed except where consent has been obtained from the client or where there is a legal duty to disclose whilst we are acting upon your instructions.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

16                  A fully documented Complaints Handling Procedure is available upon request. In the event of any dispute or complaint please contact S.K. Parrett FRICS, MAE, dipHI, in the first instance.

IMPORTANT NOTE

17                  This Practice, together with its Associates, specialise in residential plus small commercial premises (but please note we are not commercial premises Valuers).

18                  This Practice can accept commissions that revolve around the following :-

18/1                  Residential premises valuations and/or diminution in value

18/2                  RICS Homebuyer Survey & Valuation matters

18/3                  Building Surveys (often referred to as Structural Surveys)

18/4                  General Practice Surveyor/Valuer alleged negligence

18/5                  In respect of residential matters only – compliance with RICS “Red Book” (manual of Valuation Practice)

18/7                  Cases involving Building Defects and their consequences

18/8                  Actions of so-called “Cowboy Builders”

18/9                  Home Inspector / Domestic Energy Assessor roles and actions (in connection with Home Information Packs)

REPORT CAVEATS

19                  The following are a selection of clauses that will be included within our final Report: these are stipulated by our ruling Professional Bodies and Professional Indemnity Insurers (other such clauses may become necessary depending on exact circumstances of our inspection and both the land and buildings in question):-

19/1                  TRUTH STATEMENT – I confirm that insofar as the facts stated in my Report are within my own knowledge I have made clear which they are and I believe them to be true, and that the opinions I have expressed represent my true and complete professional option.

19/2                  End of Report Declaration 1 – I confirm that my Report includes all facts which I regard as being relevant to the opinions which I have expressed and that attention has been drawn to any matter which would affect the validity of those opinions.

19/3                  End of Report Declaration 2 – I confirm that my duty to COURT as an Expert Witness overrides any duty to those instructing or paying me, that I have understood this duty and complied with it in giving my evidence impartially and objectively, and that I will continue to comply with that duty as required.

19/4                  End of Report Declaration 3 – I also confirm that I am neither instructed, nor paid, under any kind of conditional fee agreement.

19/5                  End of Report Declaration 4 – I also confirm that I have no conflicts of interest of any kind (other than those already disclosed in my Report, if any).

19/6                  End of Report Declaration 5 – I confirm that my Report complies with the requirements of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), as set down in Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses (RICS Practice Statement and Guidance Note). RICS retain full copyright ownership of the PS/GN.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE ISSUES REMAIN?

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSE SURVEYOR

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Picture the recent scene – House for Sale, price agreed, finance settled, legal matters done, only the survey to be done.

Surveyor finds various disrepairs and works are needed. No problem – most matters are said (on the Agents Details) to be newly refurbished/completed and therefore assumed to be covered by guarantees. BUT – the HIP had not had any of the usual Report and Certification documents uploaded to it and the requested HIP did not include a copy of the Property Information Questionnaire (which is mandatory) to point the surveyor in the right direction.

Result?

The Surveyors’ private survey report to the purchaser had to include detailed “what if” (with guarantee and without guarantee) comments for each defect plus valuation advice on the basis of with and without guarantees. This created greater uncertainty and complexity such that we had to hold a one-to-one meeting with the clients to re-assure them that it was worth continuing and how they should proceed.

Our Surveyors role was extended from defect diagnosis to part legal and part marketing advice to hold things together. PROinspect have no problem with this but many Surveying Practices would not go that extra mile and so the Agents and Seller got lucky (to date we have received no thanks from Seller or Estate Agents).

The Sellers interest could have easily been disadvantaged had ANother surveyor been choosen to act for the clients.

All for the sake of taking HIPs seriously and using them intelligently. The Sellers, but probably the Agents, in the context of this specific case, could have uploaded -

(1)   Multiple Contractor Reports and Certificates/Guarantees

(2)   Building Control Approvals, with Plans

(3)   Details of rights-of-way

(4)   Boundary ownership

(5)   Simple list of what recent work was completed (more than just “main items”).

PROinspect have experienced a sequence of transactions where the Agents had not acted legally: HIP documentation was not forthcoming, or was incomplete, when requested by us. This is the first occasion where we have been critical of Sellers/Agents and so compliance is generally not an issue, it seems.

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Lets compare the performance of the Commercial Markets is getting its act together on mandatory commercial buildings Energy Certification. The following is an article from QUIDOS recently –

Commercial landlords ignore energy performance legislation

• Survey highlights compliance rates of just 22% with recent commercial energy legislation
• Landlords show reluctance to commission surveys amidst depressed market conditions
• Trading standards officers to use report to target property without an EPC

Quidos Limited, experts in property energy assessment and compliance matters have published the results of an autumn study into commercial energy efficiency certification across several South West regions, conducted with assistance from local Trading Standards officers.

The report shows that Landlord compliance with the 1-year-old Energy Performance Certificate legislation for commercial property (currently for sale or let) was still very low, with only 22% of commercial property appearing to carry a valid energy certificate.

Areas surveyed with their compliance ratings:

Area	Sample size	With EPC	No EPC	Not found
Bristol	200	44 (22%)	103 (52%)	53 (26%)
BANES	228	61 (26%)	54 (23%)	113 (49%)
Dorset	55	10 (18%)	29 (52%)	16 (30%)
Cornwall	125	22 (18%)	73 (58%)	30 (24%)
Wiltshire	115	20 (17%)	39 (34%)	56 (49%)
	723	157 (22%)	298 (41%)	268 (37%)

Although these results must be qualified by the methodology used they have surprised many industry professionals who had considered EPC compliance to be over 80%. Whilst Quidos have stressed that the figures are at best illustrative and focused only on the South West, they do highlight a lack of industry compliance which is likely to be repeated across the UK.

Speaking after publication, Quidos Operations Director Nick Branch spoke in favour of moves to improve awareness of energy efficiency; “These certificates provide a valuable asset rating of the energy performance of buildings. This data can and is being used by forward thinking landlords to improve the energy efficiency, and value of their property portfolio. With low cost loans available from the Carbon Trust, these energy saving improvements can be capital neutral in the short term and revenue generating in the longer term.”

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SAVING ENERGY

UpMyStreet’s room by room guide to energy saving. You could save up to £383 a year. Data taken from the public “upmystreet” website on 26/10/09:

Indeed, if you insulate all walls and all loft spaces to today’s thermal standards you could then change the space and water heating timeclock such that the fuel is off for about 30 extra minutes a day; you could also turn the thermostat down one or two degrees. These factors will save you money but continue to achieve the same comfort standards as before you upgraded your insulation – Why? – because your home heats up quicker and does not cool so quickly.

Kitchen:

1. Fill up your dishwashers and washing machines before you use them: one full load uses less energy than two half loads. By only using your dishwasher when it is full you could save an extra £15 a year.
2. Turn the temperature on your washing machine down from 60 to 40 degrees or, if you can, 30 degrees. Most washing powders will work just as well at a lower temperature.
3. Try to defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running cheaply. An over-iced freezer will have to work much harder to stay cool, in turn wasting more energy.
4. Only fill and boil your kettle with the amount of water you need when making a cup of tea.

Bathroom:

1. By turning off the tap while brushing your teeth you could save a massive five litres of water each time.
2. Place a Hippo (water saving device) in your toilet cistern and each time the toilet is flushed this will save you around three litres of water and money off your water bill.
3. The Energy Saving Trust recommends swapping one bath a week with a five minute shower to save up to £15 per year off your energy bill. Just make sure it’s not a power-shower as these can consume just as much.
4. Fix those nightmare leaky taps to save approximately four litres of water a day.

Living Room:

1. Switch your normal light bulbs to energy saving ones and you could use 80% less electricity. Energy saving bulbs last up to ten times longer too, just don’t forget to turn the lights off when leaving a room.
2. Rather than leaving your appliances on standby, turn them off at the source and make yourself a saving of £33 a year.
3. Insulate your home. Cavity wall insulation will help reduce the amount of energy you need to heat your home and keep it warm. This will make you a saving of £115 a year. While insulating your loft can make an extra saving of £150.
4. Turn the thermostat down by just one degree and although you probably won’t feel the difference you will be able to cut your bills by 10% making a saving of around £55.

So, in conclusion it seems we can save fuel and therefore money in order to pay the fines imposed for non-compliance issues. Great.

No – but seriously, well done residential Estate Agents but look out Commercial Agents: Trading Standards Officers will have picked up on these issues.

ARCHIVE ARTICLE THAT INCLUDES THE ONLY SURVEYOR JOKE I COULD FIND ON THE INTERNET:

MAN : This house is a ruin. I wonder what stops it from falling down.

SURVEYOR: I think the woodworm are holding hands!

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Who/What does the most damage to a home?

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Woodworm: Rot: Leaks: Frost: UV radiation: Acid rain: DIY: Cowboy-Contractors: Ground movements: Occupier neglect, ignorance & lack of maintenance: Poor design: Inappropriate materials: Storms: Damp/Condensation ?

Woodworm: Multiple forms of woodworm exist – some are “notifiable hazards”. Not usually treated until well-established. Can be costly if ignored for many years or you have Death Watch Beetle.

Rot: Basically only two main forms – Wet & Dry. Wet rot – treat/repair what you see. Dry rot – add a “0 or two” to what you think it might cost!

Contractors: Some are brilliant, some are not! Always get a recommendation – find out what is excluded/included. Always find out when payments are required.

Health & Safety is vital but it can also cause increased costs. Ignore standards and codes and YOU will be in trouble. Even simple low-costs repairs sometimes need massive access costs. Lives are lost needlessly every year because we ignore H&S!

Architects choose materials and designs that Builders must be familiar with to construct your dream home. Any mismatch of skills and understanding and the Surveyor will detect them when they become a problem later on (or advise you that XX may become a problem due to YY).

Suns rays degrade certain materials. Over-heating (thermal gain) can cause dimensional instability and cracking and inappropriate environmental standards.

Frost causes many materials to degrade or to de-laminate. Water pipes/drains can freeze and split/leak. Choose the wrong materials and early failure can occur. (Other materials within land and buildings also cause problems in differing weather or land conditions).

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The real answer to this riddle is “lack of, OR inappropriate monitoring and/or maintenance” causes the biggest problems. Any and every problem has a solution but the best answers always exist if problem diagnosis is both early and correct.

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This throws the spotlight on the -

(1)  common sense of the home owner/occupier (often DIY or Bob-the-Builder solutions make matters worse).

(2)  whether adequate insurances exist (under-insurance means your claim or claims will not be met, or only in part).

(3)  the experience and range of diagnosis tools of the Architect and/or Surveyor.

(4)  the knowledge and experience of all contractors and professionals employed to rectify the problems.

Nothing is perfect, all things degrade but the right choice of maintenance methods, choice of alterations and improvements, the choice of materials used, etc…. are all central to the quality of what you achieve with a property.

• Do you cut corners to meet your restricted budget?
• Is the cheapest contractor the best contractor?
• What alternatives to your needs may exist?
• Which is the best choice – basic repairs or green improvements to cut fuel costs?
• Have you pursued those alternatives to see if grants are available?
• Have you taken cost-v-value advice?
• Is it worth doing analysis OR would it be better to move to a better home?

The property cycle =  BUY  -  MAINTAIN  -  ALTER OR IMPROVE -  MAINTAIN  – UPGRADE & RENEW ELEMENTS  -  MAINTAIN  – MAKE A PROFIT OR LEAVE AN INHERITANCE

Your actions and decisions throughout the above property cycle will determine the eventual outcome of your initial investment in buying a home. Recessions come and go but, over the longer term, housing remains a good investment if you treat it wisely.

If you make the right decisions during your ownership of any home you will have a smile on your face: if you opt for DIY or bodged-solutions to problems, or, even worse, ignore problems or complete no maintenance at all, you enter a potential spiral of decline that may see your investment become a millstone around your neck from which you never financially or environmentally recover.

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Things to consider when investing in your next home.

• Can it be bought within budget?
• Have you the budget to maintain it?
• Have you commissioned and understood your own Surveyors Condition Report?
• Can and should you occasionally improve it to current green standards?
• Can you enlarge it if your space needs increase?
• Is there a price tone ceiling in your district (beyond this improvements may not add any value!)?
• Have you seen and understood the EPC on your potential new home?

• How exposed to frost and prevailing weather patterns is your potential next home?
• Is it within a known flood-plain?
• Does adequate, effective site/surface drainage exist?
• Has it been built upon, or next to, contaminated or filled ground?
• Can you obtain Buildings Insurance and at reasonable premiums without high excess payments?
• Is it traditionally or system built and is that method of construction mortgageable?

Do you need help in fully understanding the answers to the above information? CALL PROINSPECT.

Decided to SALE and/or BUY?

FIRST TIME BUYER?

PRIVATE HOUSE SALE?

What should you know and do?

If you are only buying then VIEW a prospective home, open doors and windows and have  a good poke around (do not be inhibited). Walk around the district to take in the flavour of the people etc… You could then get onto the internet to check out the Planning history of the home and if you find that what the sellers told you doesn’t match what is in the Planning Department files then ask for an explanation from the sellers. Indeed there are many self-help measures that can bring your purchase forward at low or nil cost and with only minor effort.

Sellers – how much are Estate Agents going to charge you: never agree Sole Selling Rights terms: always get a positive marketing report from your intended Agents – when will the first newspaper adverts go in, how many adverts, in what newspapers and magazines?

If you have a simple, modern home you could consider making your home the only one in your street that comes complete with a Seller Survey Report to prove it is in good condition and that you are not hiding anything. Scotland, heralded as having a “better” selling system than in England, has the Home Survey that is exactly this, a condition report with Valuation opinion to bring transparency to the deal (in England our survey products usually do not have Valuations).

If you have a Period Cottage that has been greatly improved and extended then why not include all your plans, permissions, reports, certificates, invoice receipts to prove who-did-what, when and whether warranties/guarantees exist? JPEG file uploads is all that is needed. This data will be needed by your purchasers’ Surveyor and Solicitor and so why not place it all up-front, on show for all to see? This saves time and will get the Purchasers’ Surveyor (and perhaps Loan Valuer as well) on your side – this has to be on the positive side and stacks up the chances of a successful, short-term disposal. It proves your positive and serious intentions to not cause problems or delays.

Here are some simple tips to help you onto the right track —–

1. Should a seller complete repairs before they place a home on the market? This is a difficult question but it my opinion a lot of work is done for no real gain and so the generic answer is NO. By all means do low-cost items and splash the emulsion on walls and generally smarten up the place but large expense is usually a waste of time and money. However—–
2. A few things do require serious consideration: PROinspect are great believers in getting Service Engineers to certify the function and safety of your home wiring and heating system (boiler usually).
3. Had a look at a good prospective home but something is wrong – that crack in the rear wall? Should you not bother with an offer? Should you offer to bid but make it subject to survey? OR, why not ask PROinspect to have a quick look at the problem to advise you how to proceed?
4. Found the right home and your bid has been accepted? STOP. Do not let the Sellers Agent send off a mortgage application through their rear office Financial Services adviser. Intentionally separate the loan valuation from your private survey. Why would you want your mortgage source to have the benefit of knowing the homes’ exact condition, they may decline the finance you need?
5. As we come out of recession and Lenders are still playing games with many buyers and “old rules and truisms” have disappeared and so PROinspect recommend that you get your finance arranged first and once your Solicitor says this is verified/certain then at that time, and not before, arrange your private condition survey. By all means TALK to PROinspect at any time to (1) get advice (2) get a survey product recommendation (3) survey fee quote, but do not be overly influenced by anyone acting for (paid by) the Seller.
6. If you have a private survey we would expect to recommend to you the most popular product in England, the Homebuyer Report (used to be called the Home Buyer Survey and Valuation).
7. Remember this – the majority of Agency chains are owned by Banks or Holding Companies that own banks. They recommend each other for mutual benefit disguised behind “private sounding” names nothing like the Agents name and often nothing like the banks’ name. The one thing you can be sure of is that somewhere along the line a commission is being paid OR somebody can be influential with your so-called independent Valuer or Surveyor. The standard  employed whereby potential conflicts of interest have to be declared has been set far too low by R.I.C.S., C.M.L., etc… (the controlling Bodies within Loan and Valuation/Survey industries) and this is exploited massively by the larger Companies and Group of Companies. That exploitation can often go against your best interests and so you need to protect yourself against unknown/unseen exploitation – simply call PROinspect and we will advise you (I alone own my business and I do  not pay commissions to anybody). NB – Some Estate Agents have in-house Financial Advisers and they recommend Mortgage Companies who attempt to gain your private survey work on the back of your loan valuation: do not be fooled by a short term gain in reduced fee cost: commission your survey privately well away from Loan Companies and Agency businesses.

Don’t let ignorance torpedo your purchase or sale:

UPDATE as we enter into the CON-LIB world in England:

HIPs have been shelved for the sake of an attempt to gain popularity at a time when cost cutting is king. The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) remains and you have a right to request and see it BEFORE you commit to a lease or purchase.

This would mean that First Time Buyers have even less information to rely upon when they purchase. It will sound hollow but the only real answer is to HAVE A PRIVATE SURVEY completed. Do not think of it as a luxury, rather a necessity. You would not buy a car without looking at it in detail and so why is property any different? Talk to us and we will advise you on the most cost effect survey product OR whether any short-cuts may be possible, in all the circumstances and your financial budget. CALL US. E-MAIL US.

PROPERTY CONSULTANTS for

EXPERT WITNESS or LITIGATION REPORTS

1. Can you help me? I need a chat for general advice.
2. Can you report on XXXX to tell me if I am right and may need to sue my Builder, previous Surveyor, Valuer, Solicitor, etc…..?
3. We need a pre-part-35 CPR Report.
4. We need a part-35-CPR Single Expert Witness Report (or as a Single, Joint Expert appointment).

All of these things are different: 1 is a chat and no inspection; 2 is a survey that may lead to a provisional conclusion (but, if the case moves into the hands of Solicitors or goes to Court then your initial report will not be suitable and will need to be upgraded and altered very significantly).

Item 3 provides us with the greatest problem in “how to advise a customer”. This is because Solicitors cannot agree what common format and when such a report is needed. The problem is that such reports may lead nowhere, in which case they are best short and at low cost, whereas if they do lead into Court then they need to be capable of being upgraded to the required format and style.

Item 4 above reports that are formal, highly regulated and should only be generated by professionals trained in such matters and how are true masters of their trade: very few exist and you appoint such an Expert at your peril as they can turn a case (in either direction, for you, or against you).

An Expert Witness part-35 Civil Proceedings Rules Report must be addressed to the Court. Although you may commission it and pay for it the Expert is under a duty to report as if the Judge/Court has appointed him/her.

Such reports are complex and long and therefore expensive. Not only is all evidence to be obtained and shifted but the Expert must explain his findings and justify his conclusions. The structure of the report is regulated and a Truth Statement and other Sign-off Statements make it clear that the Expert is under a weighty duty of care to include all data and not to be unduly influenced by either party to the dispute. Strict Protocols surround all aspects of the Expert appointment, report generation and delivery of evidence.

PROinspect suggest that all customers how consider that grounds for potential litigations should first be discussed with their Solicitors BEFORE speaking to us. We have seen cases where the customer has been given the wrong initial advice and this has resulted in the cost of producing relevant Expert evidence, in the right format, being very high indeed.

Our Stuart Parrett is a member of the Academy of Experts, is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He has Courtroom experience and has completed training courses in part-35-CPR Report writing and the giving of evidence in Court. For residential property matters – building disputes, contractor problems, surveyor and valuer negligence and other related matters, Stuart is considered to a be a safe pair of hands as Single/Joint Expert appointment.

Cases completed by Stuart have included:-

• Tenants failure to maintain:
• Surveyor failure to identify large quantities of hazardous material:
• Misrepresentation by a Seller of a house:
• Surveyor negligence when completing most forms of house survey product:
• Loan Valuer over-valuation cases:
• To establish where dry-rot had spread from, and why:
• Inadequate reporting standards within level 2 Homebuyer Report formats:
• Failure of a Local Authority to maintain a flat:
• Personal injury case – valuation matters to establish the lifetime effect on property decisions:
• Building damage due to works being completed in the adjoining property.

IF YOU HAVE VISITED THIS SITE TO FIND OUT THE PEDIGREE OF STUART PARRETT THE FOLLOWING MAY ALSO INTEREST YOU:-

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Summary of the experience of Stuart Parrett (a provisional CV):-

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NAME STUART KEVIN PARRETT FRICS, MAE, dipHI

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Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Practicing member of the Academy of Experts.

Registered Home Inspector & Domestic Energy Assessor.

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D.O.B. Male 12‑02‑56.

Nationality British.

Marital status Married to Penny – 2 adult children.

Professional Qualifications and Awards

19/11/80 (Professional Associate) and

13/5/87 Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Membership No. 0057808).

12/2/96 Membership of The Academy of Experts (Membership Ref : PM1490).

2001 “Accredited” by SAVA – Surveyors and Valuers Accreditation Ltd; for Level 2 and 3 Surveys.

(Membership Ref : 0001182)

Home Inspector and Domestic Energy Assessor award by ABBE in 2007/08.

Employment Residential markets Private Practice

[1] Messrs Hall Pain & Foster, Fareham, Portsmouth, Havant,  Waterlooville. 1976 ‑ 80. Trainee Surveyor

[2] Messrs Young & White, Portsmouth. 1980 ‑ 1989. Surveyor, Senior Home Sur­veyor, Associate Partner, Equity Partner including at time of disposal of business to Cornerstone (Abbey National Estate Agents) in 1988. Eight offices inc. Portsmouth, Winchester to Southampton.

[3] 1989 to 01/03/03 : Self-employed trade styles :

Chandlers Professional and Proinspect (Home Inspector and Chartered Surveyor training). Consultant to the John Byrne Survey Centre (Wickham).

[4] 2003 to July 2008 :  Rund Partnership Ltd (Chartered Building Surveyors) Eastleigh – Director; shareholder, senior residential property Surveyor/Valuer and staff trainer.

[5] August 2008 onwards – self-employed as PROinspect Consultancy. Private sector house surveying, valuing, energy assessing, defect diagnostics, Expert Witness reports, Thermal Imaging Consultants.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Summary

Long track record of working on own initiative.

Intuitive inspection and deduction/interpretation skills.

Excellent communication and report writing skills.

Highly focused and experienced in residential housing surveys.

Independent thinker.

Details/examples

Residential property market. Full Building surveys (L3), RICS Homebuyer Surveys (L2), Valuations (L1) for all purposes (valuation range predominantly up-to-£1,500,000).

Usual range of other professional work from Grant Applications (80’s), project co‑ordination plus extensive Expert Witness and other Litigation reports for Solicitor clients (with attendant Court appearances). Large amount of client Company house Part‑Exchange scheme surveying involvement. Usual random tasks such as Compulsory Purchase Acquisition claims/negotiations, Local Authority “Right to Buy” scheme negotiations, etc…

Early 1992 Inland Revenue contract work to prepare residential Council Tax Valuation Bandings in south Hampshire.

Within the practice of Young & White I was senior residential (Partner) surveyor/Valuer. This called for Practice development expertise i.e. negotiation with mortgage Lenders regarding valuation panel membership and fee scales; co‑ordinating efforts and marketing to enter new markets, producing and updating Conditions of Engagement, dealing with staff negligence cases and annual employment reviews etc….

The 1990’s, and now the new century, saw great growth in Litigation Reports required due to claims alleging professional negligence. My experience and highly active role within the profession has allowed me to specialise in this area (Expert Witness Reports).

In 2002 I have set up a subscription based internet Home Inspector Resource facility (proinspect.co.uk). To facilitate Home Information Packs plus Energy Performance Certificates this infrastructure was upgraded to PROinspect Network Portal in 2005. This has now evolved into a 2008 new business that focuses on the surveyor and general assessment of residential property.

Throughout 2002 to 2007 I helped devised both (1) National Occupational Standards for Government licensed Home Inspectors and (2) the external test/examination that all such candidates will have to take. This has led to major professional services Consultancies with the two main Home Inspector Assessment Centres in England, RICS and SAVA.

1997 to date

Seminar speaker to Chartered Surveyors and others on behalf of

• the RICS (nationally, regionally and locally) inc. as “Safe As…”
• Portsmouth University CPD Unit
• SAVA Ltd
• PROinspect.co.uk
• Legal & General Surveying Services Ltd
• CIOB
• Rund Partnership Ltd.
• BNI networking UK.

Typical subjects

• Homebuyer Survey & Valuation scheme
• Expert Witness Reports
• “How to Understand Home Surveys” – to Solicitors at in-house training sessions
• SAVA competence/assessment days
• Survey Standards, Report Writing, Accreditation, new Home Condition Report
• Surveying new buildings, surveying Services, etc….
• General Valuation issues
• Effective Report Writing
• The Art of being a Residential Surveyor
• The 2009 all-new R.I.C.S. Homebuyer Report and the NEED FOR CHANGE.
• Site Notes and the DEA
• Maximising Income as a DEA
• An Overview of Surveying Housing.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1989 to date

IT and keyboard skills attained – Microsoft Word, Publisher, Outlook, Powerpoint.

Public Speaking, Mentoring Younger Surveyors and Practices, etc…

1985 to 1992

Committee member Portsmouth District Estate Agents/Surveyors Association.

1987/88 Chairman.

1991/2 and 1995/6

Chairman of Wessex Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors General Practice Division.

Committee member 1988 to 2001.

1992 to mid-2000

Member of a small team who operated a monthly Chartered Surveyors clinic at the Eastleigh offices of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

1994 to date

Member of Southampton Property Association.

1994 to 12/2000.

Wessex GP Division “Representative” to RICS GP Divisional Council. 1997 to 2000 elected to the Executive Board of the GP Division.

1999 to mid 2001

R.I.C.S. Wessex Branch Representative to General Council.

1994 to early 1999

Member of the RICS Small Practices Support Group.

1993/95

Inaugural Chairman of the Independent Surveyors Association. Created to fight “mortgage valuation placement” monopoly problems and to improve survey standards.

1997 to late 1998

Committee member of the then new Wessex Branch GP Division “CPD” Club for training purposes. This involved organising all aspects of course seminars.

1998 to 2002

Member of RICS Insurance Working Group.

1999 to 2005

Committee member of SAVA Benchmarking & Training Panel.

Consultant to SAVA Assessment Centre.

Accreditation Manager and conference leader.

2000 to 2001

Wessex RICS Branch chairman

2000 to 2002

Member of RICS South-East Regional Board.

2004

Business Management and H.I. Roadshow Consultant for RICS Safe As…. Home Inspector Assessment Centre.

2004 -2007

Working Group of A.B.B.E. (in Birmingham) regarding implementation of Home Inspector regulations, advising upon National Occupational Standards for Home Inspectors, advising on training requirements and the delivery/type of “external” test for Home Inspectors (together with populating the examination question database).

2001 – 2007 Appointments:-

• SAVA Accreditation Application Assessor for L2 and L3 grades.
• SAVA level-2 (HSV/HCR….) Workshop seminar facilitator / speaker.
• Training Consultant and Home Inspector candidate Assessor for SAVA Home Inspector Assessment Centre.
• RICS Professional Indemnity Insurance Working Group.