RICS Hone Survey Standard Flashcards
What is the RICS Home Survey Standard?
The purpose of this professional statement is to:
establish a clear framework that sets minimum expectations – this to protect and maintain consistent and high-quality standards in residential property survey services that RICS members and regulated firms provide
provide mandatory requirements for RICS members and regulated firms in the UK who deliver any level of residential property survey
replace and harmonise previous RICS publications relating to residential surveys.
How many levels of survey are there?
3
What is a Level One survey?
This service is designed for clients (buyers, sellers and owners) seeking a professional and objective report on the condition of the property at an economic price.
This level of service includes a visual inspection that is less extensive than for the other survey levels. No tests of the building fabric or services are undertaken. The report objectively describes the condition of the building, its services and the grounds.
A survey level one report does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and this, combined with the less extensive inspection, usually means it is better suited to conventionally built, modern dwellings in satisfactory condition.
What is a Level Two survey?
This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion at an economic price. It is. The focus is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property.
This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.
This level of service suits a broader range of conventionally built properties, although the age and type will depend on the knowledge and experience of the RICS member.
What is a Level Three survey?
This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion based on a detailed assessment of the property.
The service consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a survey level two. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so.
The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.
Where an RICS member feels unable to reach the necessary conclusions with reasonable confidence, they should refer the matter for further investigations. However, at survey level three such referrals should be the exception rather than the rule. A survey level three report should aim to provide the client with all the information they need to make a decision.
