Please note: references to the masculine include, where
appropriate, the feminine.
Subject to express agreement to the contrary and any agreed
amendments/additions, the terms on which the Surveyor will
undertake the Building Survey are set out below.
Based
on an inspection as defined below, the Surveyor will
advise the Client by means of a written report as to
his opinion of the visible condition and state of repair
of the subject property.
The
Inspection
Accessibility
and Voids
The Surveyor will inspect as much of the surface area
of the structure as is practicable but will not inspect
those areas which are covered, unexposed or not reasonably
accessible.
Floors
The Surveyor will lift accessible sample loose floorboards
and trap doors, if any, which are not covered by heavy
furniture, ply or hardboard, fitted carpets or other fixed
floor coverings. The Surveyor will not attempt to raise
fixed floorboards without permission.
Roofs
The Surveyor will inspect the roof spaces if there are
available hatches. The Surveyor will have a ladder of sufficient
height to gain access to a roof hatch or to a single storey
roof, not more than 3.0m (10'0') above the floor or adjacent
ground. It might therefore not be possible to inspect roofs
above this level; in such cases, pitched roofs will be
inspected by binoculars. The Surveyor will follow the guidance
given in Surveying Safely issued by the RICS in April 1991,
which incorporates the guidance given in the Guidance Note
GS31 on the safe use of ladders and step ladders issued
by the Health and Safety Executive.
Boundaries,
Grounds and Outbuildings
The inspection will include boundaries if time permits,
grounds and outbuildings. The Surveyor will advise if these
are not included in the Survey Specialist leisure facilities,
including swimming pools and tennis courts will not be
inspected.
Services
The Surveyor will carry out a visual inspection of the
service installations where accessible. Manhole covers
will be lifted where accessible and practicable. No tests
will be applied unless previously agreed. The Surveyor
will report if, as a result of his inspection, the Surveyor
considers that tests are advisable and if considered necessary,
an inspection and report by a specialist should be obtained.
Areas
not inspected
The surveyor will identify any areas which would normally
be inspected but which he was unable to inspect and indicate
where he considers that access should be obtained or formed
and, furthermore, he will advise on possible or probable
defects based on evidence from what he has been able to
see.
Flats
Unless otherwise agreed the Surveyor will inspect only
the flat and garage (if any), the related internal and
external common parts and the structure of the building
in which the subject flat is situated. Other flats or properties
will not be inspected. The Surveyor will state in his Report
any restrictions on accessibility to the common parts or
visibility of the structure. The Surveyor will state whether
he has seen a copy of the lease and, if not , the assumptions
as to repairing
Obligations on which he is working. 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 say, the next decade
and not to list those minor points which would normally
be taken care of in the course of routine maintenance. |
Many flats form part of large
developments consisting of several blocks. In such cases
the Surveyor will be inspecting only the one block in which
the flat is situated.)
Deleterious and Hazardous
Materials
Unless otherwise expressly stated in the Report,
the Surveyor will assume that no deleterious or hazardous
materials or techniques have been used in the construction
of the property. However, the Surveyor will advise
in the report if, in his view, there is a likelihood that
high alumina cement (HAC) concrete has been used in the
construction and that, in such cases, specific enquiries
should be made or tests carried out by a specialist.
Lead water supply
pipes and asbestos will be noted and advice given if
these materials can be seen but it must be appreciated
that such materials are often only visible after opening
up which cannot be carried out at the risk of causing
damage - see paragraph 2(a) above.
The Surveyor will
not advise in the Report if the property is in an area
where, based on information published by the National
Radiological Protection Board, there is a risk of radon.
Independent tests should be carried out to establish
the radon level.
The Surveyor will
advise if there are transformer stations or overhead
power lines which might give rise to an electro-magnetic
field, either over the subject property or visible immediately
adjacent to the property, but the Surveyor cannot assess
any possible effect on health. For obvious reasons the
Surveyor cannot report on any underground cables.
Contamination
The Surveyor will not comment on the existence of contamination
as this can only be established by appropriate specialists.
Where, from his local knowledge or inspection, he considers
that contamination might be a problem he should advise
as to the importance of obtaining a report from an appropriate
specialist.
Consents, Approvals
and Searches
The Surveyor will
assume that the property is not subject to any unusual
or especially onerous restrictions or covenants which
apply to the structure or affect the reasonable enjoyment
of the property.
The Surveyor will
assume that all bye-laws, Building Regulations and other
consents required have been obtained. Although he will
comment upon them in the case of new buildings, and alterations
and extensions which require statutory consents or approvals
the Surveyor will verify whether such consents have been
obtained. Any enquiries should be made by the Client
or his legal advisers. Drawings and specifications will
not be obtained by the Surveyor
The Surveyor will
assume that the property is unaffected by any matters
which would be revealed by a local search and replies
to the usual enquiries, or by a Statutory Notice, and
that neither the property or its condition, it sue or
its intended use is or will be unlawful.
Fees and Expenses
The Client will pay the Surveyor the agreed fee for the
Report and any expressly agreed disbursements in addition.
Restrictions on Disclosure
The Report is for the sole use of the named Client and
is confidential to the Client and his professional advisers.
Any other persons rely on the Report at their own risk.
The surveys remain our property
and copyright and cannot be sold on. We reserve the right
to use the survey for any marketing purposes.
Complaints Procedure
If you are happy with our service please tell others.
In the event that you are not happy with our service complaints
should first be directed to GEM Associates Ltd on 0800
298 5424 (our Complaints procedure is here ).
Should an amicable arrangement not be reached through this
means the complaint will be subject to the RICS complaints
procedure.
Note: A Building Survey Report does not automatically
include advice on value or reinstatement cost assessment
for insurance purposes. However, the Surveyor will be prepared
to provide such opinions if this is agreed at the time
of taking instructions. |
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