The Survey

Your guide to buying your home -The Survey

Lenders will not release money or even approve a mortgage until a survey has been carried out. Buying a house is the biggest financial investment most people make and it is very important therefore to fully establish the condition of the property before proceeding with purchase. (This should be done even if you are not having a mortgage.)

Mortgage valuation

Lenders will insist on a valuation being carried out for mortgage purposes. This is a very limited inspection to assess the security offered for the loan and should not be relied on when deciding whether to buy the property.

Home Buyers Report

This is designed to be an efficient low cost survey which provides information about the overall condition and soundness of the property as well as its valuation. Major defects will also be listed with suggestions for further investigation, if necessary.

Structural Survey

This is a far more detailed report on the structural condition of the property and is particularly relevant for older properties or those in need of renovation. This survey will report on the implications of particular faults and likely remedial costs.

Specialist Surveys

Any of the previous surveys may reveal the need for the further investigation of a particular problem such as damp or rotting timbers. It may be necessary therefore to pay for a survey by a specialist contractor to determine remedial works and costs.

Right to Buy Valuation

If you are purchasing your home under the Right to Buy, your landlord will need to carry out a valuation of the property to help determine the purchase price. As with the mortgage valuation, this is a limited inspection carried out solely for the purposes of meeting the landlord's obligations under the Right to Buy legislation and does not provide any form of warranty as regards the condition of the property.

All applicants are advised to have an independent survey carried out before proceeding with their purchase

A guide for first time buyers

How much can I borrow?

Choosing a mortgage

Interest rates

Completing the purchase

Protecting your interests

Skip Navigation	Text Size: A \| A \| A
HOME About RBH Information & Services News Events Repairs RBH Forum Policies/Standards Contact Us

Home Information and Services Become a Tenant Current Tenants - Online Services for Tenants - About our Services Leaseholders * * *		Your guide to buying your home -The Survey Lenders will not release money or even approve a mortgage until a survey has been carried out. Buying a house is the biggest financial investment most people make and it is very important therefore to fully establish the condition of the property before proceeding with purchase. (This should be done even if you are not having a mortgage.) Mortgage valuation Lenders will insist on a valuation being carried out for mortgage purposes. This is a very limited inspection to assess the security offered for the loan and should not be relied on when deciding whether to buy the property. Home Buyers Report This is designed to be an efficient low cost survey which provides information about the overall condition and soundness of the property as well as its valuation. Major defects will also be listed with suggestions for further investigation, if necessary. Structural Survey This is a far more detailed report on the structural condition of the property and is particularly relevant for older properties or those in need of renovation. This survey will report on the implications of particular faults and likely remedial costs. Specialist Surveys Any of the previous surveys may reveal the need for the further investigation of a particular problem such as damp or rotting timbers. It may be necessary therefore to pay for a survey by a specialist contractor to determine remedial works and costs. Right to Buy Valuation If you are purchasing your home under the Right to Buy, your landlord will need to carry out a valuation of the property to help determine the purchase price. As with the mortgage valuation, this is a limited inspection carried out solely for the purposes of meeting the landlord's obligations under the Right to Buy legislation and does not provide any form of warranty as regards the condition of the property. All applicants are advised to have an independent survey carried out before proceeding with their purchase A guide for first time buyers How much can I borrow? Choosing a mortgage Interest rates Completing the purchase Protecting your interests