What is a RICS Condition Report?

The RICS Condition Report provides a reliable and cost effective report which will help highlight any serious problems and specific risks before you commit to the process of buying or selling a residential property.

A RICS Condition Report is a report that is fully backed by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors – the industry’s most respected authority on surveying. The RICS HomeBuyer Report can only be undertaken by a RICS qualified Chartered Surveyor.

When is a RICS Condition Report used?

The RICS Homebuyer Report is the ideal choice of survey if your property is:

A conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials.
Apparently in a reasonable condition.
Built within the last 30 years.

What does a RICS HomeBuyer Report include?

Inspection of the property, outbuildings and grounds.
Provides a clear traffic light rating of the condition of the property, identifying problems requiring varying levels of attention. The condition rating takes on the following format:

RICS Homebuyers Condition.
A summary of the risk associated with the condition of the building.
Advice as to any required repairs and ongoing maintenance.

Why should I have a RICS Condition Report?

RICS Condition Reports are a useful survey for both a buyer and a seller, but also any home owner as they focus on building defects and issues that are urgent and likely to have an affect on value.

Benefits for the Buyer:

Allows you to make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase so as to avoid any unexpected expenditure when you have moved in.
Highlights any decisions and actions that should be actioned before contracts are exchanged.
Assists you in predicting of any future maintenance expenditure which is likely to be required.

Benefits for the Seller:

Highlights any potential issues the property may present ahead of the sale.
Allows you the ability to remedy any problems prior to presenting the property to the market.
Allows you to be in an informed position and thus have the ability to understand if there are any issues which cause a delay with the sale, or issues that may result in price reductions later in the sale process.

Benefits for the Home Owner:

Warns you of any defects that require remedy.
Allows you to manage and/or avoid escalating repair and maintenance costs in the future.