Why Commission a Buyer or Seller Property Survey?
Whether you are buying or selling, understanding a property’s condition can help reduce uncertainty and avoid unexpected problems.
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For most people, purchasing a property represents one of the largest financial commitments they will ever make. Many defects are not immediately visible during a viewing and may only become apparent after completion, when responsibility for repairs has transferred to you.
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An independent buyer’s survey provides professional advice before you legally commit. A survey commissioned by a seller can also identify potential concerns before marketing, allowing time to obtain advice, supporting information or suitable repair quotations.
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The purpose is not to alarm, but to inform.
A VALUATION IS NOT A SURVEY
There is a common misconception that a mortgage valuation is a survey carried out on behalf of the buyer.
This is not the case.
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A mortgage valuation is prepared primarily for the lender to assess whether the property provides suitable security for the proposed loan. It may involve only a brief inspection, or in some cases no physical inspection at all, and does not provide the buyer with detailed advice about the condition of the property, defects or likely future repair liabilities.
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If you want to understand the condition of the property you are purchasing, you should commission a separate buyer’s survey. Depending on the age, construction, condition and complexity of the property, this will usually be either an RICS Level 3 Building Survey or an RICS Level 2 Home Survey.
BUYER AND SELLER SURVEYS
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A buyer’s survey is commissioned specifically for you and can identify defects, explain their likely causes and significance, and recommend further investigations or repairs before exchange of contracts. The findings may also support price renegotiation where appropriate.
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Sellers can commission a pre-sale property survey before marketing or during the sale. This can identify matters likely to be raised by prospective buyers, providing time to locate approvals and guarantees, obtain specialist advice or quotations, and consider appropriate repairs. Early preparation may help reduce delays, unexpected renegotiation or the risk of the transaction falling through.
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However, a seller’s survey should not normally replace the buyer’s own independent survey. It was prepared for the seller at a particular point in time, and the buyer may not be entitled to rely upon it. It may also have a more limited scope and will not necessarily address the buyer’s concerns or proposed alterations.
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A separate buyer’s survey remains particularly important for period, listed, traditionally constructed, altered or otherwise complex properties. These buildings often require a more detailed understanding of their construction, previous alterations and potentially inappropriate modern repairs. For these properties, an RICS Level 3 Building Survey will generally be the most appropriate option.
INFORMED AND
PROPORTIONATE ADVICE
A survey enables you to proceed with confidence.
Outcomes may include:
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Confirmation that no significant concerns are present
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Identification of defects requiring attention prior to exchange
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Evidence to support price renegotiation where appropriate
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Early identification of risks that may affect resale or future expenditure
In some circumstances, significant concerns may be identified early in the survey process. Where appropriate, we will contact you before progressing further to ensure you wish to proceed.
Our approach is structured, logical and evidence-based. Reports are photograph-led and clearly organised to identify:
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The nature of any defect
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Its likely cause
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Its severity
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The appropriate next steps
The objective is clarity and proportionate advice — not unnecessary alarm.
DIRECT, PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
Each survey is personally undertaken by Chartered Building Surveyor Tom Whitworth BSc (Hons), MRICS, MRPSA.
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South East Surveyors provides independent buyer and seller property surveys throughout Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex area, with particular experience in period properties, traditional construction and complex residential buildings.
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Following delivery of the report, a telephone consultation of up to 30 minutes is available on request to discuss the findings and recommended actions.
