Inspection

Question 1

What would you take on an inspection?

Answer 1

• phone
• tape measure
• plans
• Relevant PPE
• Pen and paper

Question 2

Reviewing a property externally, what would you consider?

Answer 2

• Construction
• Condition
• Access/service arrangements
• Car parking

Question 3

What are the different types of inspections?

Answer 3

Valuation
Property Management
Agency

Question 4

What would you consider on a valuation inspection?

Answer 4

The factors that can impact value such as location, tenure, condition, occupation details

Question 5

What would you consider on a property management inspection?

Answer 5

Lease compliance
User
Condition

Question 6

What would you consider on an Agency inspection?

Answer 6

Condition
Services
Marketability

Question 7

What is the type of construction for new shop units?

Answer 7

Retail Warehousing - steel frame with a concrete floor

Question 8

What is the type of construction for offices?

Answer 8

Either steel or concrete frames.

Question 9

What is an inherent defect?

Answer 9

Defects in the design or a material which has always been present

Question 10

What is a latent defect?

Answer 10

A fault to the property that could not have been discovered by a reasonably thorough inspection

Question 11

What is subsidence?

Answer 11

Vertical downward movement of a building foundation caused by the loss of support of the site beneath the foundation.

Question 12

What is Heave?

Answer 12

The expansion of the ground beneath part or all of the building.

Question 13

What are the types of damp?

Answer 13

1. Wet rot
2. Dry rot
3. Rising damp
4. Condensation
5. Penetrating damp

Question 14

What is wet rot?

Answer 14

Caused by damp and timber decay.

Question 15

What is dry rot?

Answer 15

Caused by fungal attack.

Question 16

What is key legislation relating to contamination?

Answer 16

Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Imposes duties under section 89(1) and (2) on certain landowners and occupiers to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse, and on local authorities and the Secretary of State to keep clean public highways for which they are responsible.

Question 17

What are deleterious materials?

Answer 17

Materials that are prohibited for use in project.

Question 18

What are hazardous materials?

Answer 18

Harmful to health such as asbestos, lead piping/paint and radon gas.

Question 19

What is Japanese Knotweed?

Answer 19

Invasive plant that can damage hard surfaces such as foundations and tarmac.

Question 20

How can you identify Japanese Knotweed?

Answer 20

Large green leaves
Purple/green hollow stem
Creamy/white flowers that appear on panicles

Question 21

How would you dispose of Japanese Knotweed?

Answer 21

Contact a specialist.

It needs to be disposed of legally such as using chemical treatment, digging it out and removing it from the site to a licensed landfill site in accordance with Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Question 22

Is there any RICS guidance about Japanese Knotweed?

Answer 22

Yes RICS Japanese Knotweed and residential property January 2022 (wef March 2022).

This provides guidelines to follow both onsite and off site as well as the considerations for valuations/surveys.

Question 23

What type of damp did you uncover in Weaverham?

Answer 23

I believe this was penetrating damp.
This is the process of moisture moving from exterior to interior which would make sense given this was son the gable end wall.

Question 24

What is the main RICS guidance regarding inspection?

Answer 24

Home Survey Standard Professional Statement 1st Edition 2019

Question 25

What is a protimeter?

Answer 25

Used to assess the moisture in a wide range of building materials including wood, masonry, drywall, plaster and concrete.

Question 26

What are the limitations of protimeter?

Answer 26

Susceptible to false positives which can occurs from:-
1. A electrical wire in the wall
2. A screw or nail in the wall
3. Metal strapping
4. Pipes inside the wall

Question 27

What is the most important thing to do before an inspection?

Answer 27

Health and Safety Risk Assessment

Question 28

How would you check the age of a property?

Answer 28

Planning
Lease documents
Construction of the building
Title register/deeds

Question 29

What is a patent defect?

Answer 29

Can be discovered by reasonable inspection.

Question 30

Why do you undertake a desktop investigation?

Answer 30

As a form of risk assessment.

Question 31

What might you include in your desktop investigation?

Answer 31

Review access arrangements
Any alterations
Listed building?
Floor plans

Question 32

How do you undertake an inspection?

Answer 32

1. Walk the property externally look at condition, shape, size, age etc
2. Internally work from upper floors down working from any plans I may have
3. Walk the roads and make note of the neighbouring units

Question 33

What kind of risks do you consider?

Answer 33

Working alone
Asbestos
Emergency exits
Confined spaces
Hazards with derelict/empty properties

Question 34

Have you heard of a theodolite and if so how does it work?

Answer 34

An optical instrument consisting of a small mounted telescope rotatable in horizontal and vertical planes, used to measure angles.

Consists of a spirit level and crosshairs in the telescope to ensure accurate alignment.

Question 35

What precautions would you take if you were surveying a flat roof with a step ladder on your own?

Answer 35

Prepare RAMs
Consider the roof condition
Ensure step ladder is placed approx. 70 degrees and tall enough that the top four rungs don’t need to be used.

Question 36

What is Radon Gas?

Answer 36

Produced during the decay of Radium which occurs naturally through the presence of uranium in most rocks, soil, bricks and concrete.

Question 37

Is Radon Gas an issue within buildings?

Answer 37

Disperses externally. Internally, it may potentially build up to harmful levels.

Question 38

What is PPM survey?

Answer 38

Planned Preventative Maintenance Survey.
Ensures the property is properly maintained.

Question 39

What range of readings might you get using a moisture meter?

Answer 39

0-15% normal
15% above - further inspection
25-30% - may be water ingress