Guides

A previous buyer's survey looks like a shortcut. Here's why it rarely is.

What sellers need to know about property surveys before putting a home on the market

What every buyer needs to know before booking a house survey.

Compartmentation, fire doors, non-combustible materials and alarms: the fire safety features every b...

Woodworm is one of the most common timber findings in a property survey. Here is what surveyors look...

Wet rot is one of the most common timber problems a survey can uncover. Here is what a wet rot surve...

Dry rot is one of the most serious timber problems a survey can uncover. Here is what a dry rot surv...

Damp is one of the most common problems uncovered in property surveys. Find out how RICS surveyors d...

Most homebuyers never give brickwork a second thought. But the pattern in which bricks are laid can...

Spray foam insulation is one of the most significant issues a house survey can flag. It affects mort...

Old wiring is one of the most common issues flagged in surveys on older properties. Here is what sur...

Green algae on walls is easy to overlook, but a surveyor won't miss it and neither should you.

Japanese knotweed showing up in a survey does not have to stop a purchase but understanding what the...

If you are buying a property built before 2000, asbestos is one of the most important things to unde...

The TA6 form is a key part of buying and selling a home in England and Wales, but it's no replacemen...

Your survey isn't just about damp and dodgy roofs. It also hands your solicitor a list of legal issu...

A house survey can uncover problems that no viewing will ever reveal. Here is what surveyors find mo...

How to spot water damage in a house, what causes it and what a water damage survey will check before...

Subsidence can be one of the most alarming findings in a property survey, but understanding what it...

If you are buying a home with a wood burning stove or open fire, there are important safety and lega...

A flying freehold is an unusual but not uncommon feature in older properties. Understanding what it...

A survey report flagging issues does not have to derail your purchase. How you respond to the result...

A RICS Level 1 survey is the most basic inspection available for buyers. It provides an overview of...

A property survey can uncover serious problems before you commit to a purchase, giving you the infor...

Essential information for anyone buying or managing a building that may contain Reinforced Autoclave...

Pylons and overhead power lines are a common concern for property buyers. Understanding how they aff...

Your legal right to natural daylight can be threatened by neighbouring developments. Here is what to...

Boundary disputes are more common than most buyers realise and more costly than most sellers expect....

A conveyancer and a surveyor do different jobs. Understanding what each one covers helps buyers make...

Timber frame is a legitimate and increasingly common construction method, but it comes with specific...

From slipped tiles and failed flashings to sagging timbers and spray foam insulation, roof problems...

A reinstatement cost assessment tells you how much it would cost to rebuild your property from scrat...

A survey is not legally required when buying a property in England or Wales, but the risks of procee...

Lath and plaster is the ceiling and wall construction method found in most properties built before t...

Flat roofs are one of the most scrutinised elements in any property survey. Whether it is an extensi...

When buying a new build home, it is easy to assume everything will be perfect. But even brand-new ho...

Cellars can add real value to a property, but being subterranean they are subject to problems that d...

What to check before buying a property with solar panels on the roof.

Timber cladding can add character and kerb appeal to a property, but it also comes with maintenance...

Mortgage Surveyors will check for any apparent defects or problems that may impact the property valu...

Spalling brick is one of the most common defects found during a property survey. Understanding what...

Soffits, fascias and gutters keep rainwater away from the roof and walls of a home. Here is what eac...

Failed double glazing is one of the more common defects found during a property survey. Knowing what...

So, how do you avoid falling into the cowboy builders' trap? Here is our five-step guide to help you...

Flooding is an increasing concern for property buyers. Understanding the flood risk of a property be...

Here are the questions worth asking before, during and after your home inspection.

Damaged concrete window sills are a common finding in property surveys, particularly on older homes....

Not all surveyors hold the same qualifications. Here is what sets a chartered surveyor apart and why...

AI is changing how chartered surveyors work. Here is what that means for buyers and the surveys that...

Buyers often want to know whether a property survey will cover the boiler, electrics and water syste...

TPO is a legal instrument, overseen and managed by the council, to prevent a tree being cut down, cu...

Cladding is a layer of material applied to the exterior of a building. Since the Grenfell Tower fire...

Structural problems are among the most alarming findings in a property survey. Here is how surveys a...

New builds are not exempt from defects. An independent survey before you complete can uncover issues...

Chartered surveyors use a range of tools to inspect a property thoroughly. Here is how drones fit in...

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors sets the standards that qualified surveyors must meet a...

If you are buying a property that shares a wall, floor or boundary with a neighbour, understanding p...