How to Prepare if You’re Nervous for a House Survey

Despite asbestos being banned in 2000 in the UK, there are still buildings that have asbestos in. The surveyor will not conduct an asbestos survey but will note if they believe there to be asbestos-containing material. Many surveyors will acknowledge the presence of artex on ceilings and walls, as it was popular until asbestos was banned. If a surveyor has notified you of potential asbestos the buyer might request an asbestos survey.

Structural integrity of the property is a major issue that can be uncovered during your survey. The surveyor will be looking for cracks in the roof, floors and walls. Though rare, cracks can be a sign of subsidence and if serious enough it can result in the walls or roof collapsing. If there are concerns the buyer will likely get a structural engineer who will come and conduct a full structural survey.

According to UK Government figures damp is prominent in 4% to 27% of homes across the UK. The wide-ranging figure is due to the measuring of mold and damp and how it is reported. The UK has a lot of old properties still. Alongside the bad weather, it is no surprise that damp is a common issue.

If your surveyor has notified you of the presence of damp, you should seek the services of a damp specialist. They will be able to advise you on how widespread it is and how to treat it. There could be some underlying reasons such as issues with the roof or the external render. This can cause penetrating damp and prove costly and put off buyers.

Japanese Knotweed causes on average £170 million worth of damage in the UK. Invasive plants as a whole can create significant issues with property mostly around the structure. Whilst it is not mandatory to declare the presence of invasive plants (except for Japanese Knotweed) a survey will flag it. It could impact the buyer's purchasing decision and they might request that you remove the invasive plants.

When a surveyor is conducting a Level 2 or 3 Survey, they will be looking for small issues which could lead to bigger and more expensive problems. These can impact other areas of the home. They will be looking for issues around cracked tiles, insufficient insulation and ventilation. If the survey finds potentially serious issues, an inspection of the area by an expert will be needed to check the severity of the problem.

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During a house survey, the surveyor will visually inspect accessible areas of the property. Ensuring that every part of the home is easy to access is essential. This does include places such as the loft and garage. For example, if a corner unit is blocking a cupboard, be sure to move it so the surveyor can reach it.

Addressing minor issues before your survey can improve your report. It can help prevent small problems from appearing more serious than they are. Even minor imperfections, like a harmless wall crack, can raise red flags for potential buyers and risk them pulling out of the purchase. If you notice these issues, take the time to repair or cover them up before the survey to avoid them being part of the report

When preparing for the survey, be sure to inspect all exterior areas of the property, not just the main building. This includes alleyways, garages, the garden, and boundary walls. Ensure the surveyor has clear access to these areas, as they will be included in their survey.

If there is furniture blocking a door or panel, be sure to move this ahead of the survey. This includes any unnecessary furniture in the property. The surveyor will need as much space to access the key parts of the property. You can always move these items into storage or get a house clearance company to remove them, should they no longer be needed.

Read more on How to Get Rid of Old Furniture

Having your utilities tested ensures they’re in top condition and allows you to address any issues in advance. Once tested, you can provide the surveyor with certificates, such as Gas Safety, Electrical, Building Regulation Certificates and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). EPC is legally required to enable your property to be listed and can cost £65-£120 on average. This gives buyers added peace of mind.

If prior to you owning the property changes were made, it's worth contacting the solicitor which you used to purchase the house. They should be able to provide you with the relevant documentation. If you have made any major changes during your ownership, such as an extension, then ensure you have the planning permission to hand too

The surveyor won’t conduct these specific checks, but they may include relevant scores in the survey report. Keeping these documents on hand can help prevent delays and reassure buyers. You will also need these for the conveyancing process.It may even reduce the likelihood of additional inspections.

If there are problems with the property which has arisen in the survey, it might be worth getting them fixed to help the sale proceed. This does of course depend on the size and cost of the repairs. In some cases, the buyer will insist that you get these issues fixed before they complete the purchase.

If the valuations between yourself and the buyer are significantly different, you might find it necessary to get a second opinion. The risk here is that you are paying for another valuation and coming back to the same result. If there is a different figure in your favour, this will also strengthen your position when re-negotiating.

If some issues have been flagged, you can factor this into any potential re-negotiations with the buyer over the house price. You might take a certain amount off the asking price if they agree to get the roof repaired upon purchase. If you wish to go down this route, it's recommended you speak to your conveyancing solicitor.

If reading the valuation report, you find that actually you’d set an unrealistic asking price, it might be worth agreeing to a new amount with the buyer. This will likely add some time as they will need to speak to their mortgage provider. In some cases, the buyer might be forced to pull out of the purchase altogether. This is particularly the case for first-time buyers. Their mortgage provider might have concerns over differing valuations and will need a higher deposit.

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