Valuation Report
The Surveyor will assess the way the property was built, its size, location, and its overall condition. We will evaluate the property and how it compares to similar properties that have recently sold in the nearby vicinity.
Help To Buy Valuation Report
A Help to Buy Valuation report is an independent assessment of your property’s current market value, required when repaying or staircasing your Help to Buy equity loan. It ensures the amount you pay back to the government accurately reflects your home’s true market worth.
Probate Valuations
The Surveyor establishes the value of a property that is subject to inheritance tax at the time of death. This type of valuation reflects the open market value of the property, and this valuation can be subject to scrutiny from HMRC.
Matrimonial Valuation
A valuation for matrimonial purposes aims to provide a Market Valuation at a specific date which can be used to decide how joint assets are divided between parties involved in divorce proceedings. The valuation can be undertaken acting for either party or jointly.
Choose this report if you need more extensive information whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. 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.
As the RICS Home Survey – Level 2 above but also includes:
- the surveyor’s professional opinion on the ‘market value’ of the property
- an insurance reinstatement figure for the property
- a list of problems that the surveyor considers may affect the value of the property.
Choose this report if dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. It costs more than the other RICS reports because it gives detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property.
This service includes:
- a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a Survey Level 2
- 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. Additionally, it should:
- describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected
- propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection
- outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair; and
- make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work.
Flats
i) Unless otherwise agreed the surveyor will inspect only the subject flat in garage if any, the related internal and external common parts and the structure of the building in which the subject flat is situated although such parts of the structure will be inspected and reported on in a general manner. Other flats or properties will not be inspected. The surveyor will state in his/her report any restrictions on accessibility to the common parts or visibility of the structure.
ii) Surveyor will state whether he/she has seen a copy of the lease and if not the assumptions as to repairing obligations on which he/she is working or. The client is reminded that, particularly in the case of large blocks, the object of the inspection is to give guidance on the general standard of construction and maintenance, pointing out those items which will require attention within the next decade and not to list those minor points which would normally be taken care of in the course of routine maintenance.
iii) Where possible the client should provide a copy of the lease and management company accounts plus service charge details prior to the inspection date. We will comment upon the lease terms only where they relate to the maintenance and repairing liabilities.
iv) Many flats form part of large developments consisting of several blocks. In such cases the surveyor will be inspecting only the one block enriched the flat is situated.
A structural engineer ensures your residential property is safe, stable, and built to meet building codes. They assess and design the structural elements—like foundations, beams, and load-bearing walls—to prevent future damage or failures.
Our partners at Vale Consultancy pride themselves on providing high quality, innovative and thoughtful engineering solutions to a wide range of clients.
Their expert engineers combine specialist knowledge and technical expertise to guide your projects from start to finish.
