Home Reports - General

Question 1

1. What is the definition of a Single Survey?

Answer 1

a. A Single Survey is a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (HSV)

Question 2

2. What legislation dictates the requirement of a Single Survey Report?

Answer 2

a. Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Document) Regulations 2008.

Question 3

3. What are the 4 parts of a Home Report Survey?

Answer 3

a. Part 1: Information and Scope of Inspection
b. Part 2: Report on the Condition of the Property
c. Part 3: Accessibility Information
d. Part 4: Valuation and Conveyancer Issues

Question 4

4. What properties are exempt from requiring a Single Survey in accordance with the Regulations?

Answer 4

a. Portfolios
b. Seasonal / Holiday Accommodation
c. Mixed Sales Being sold with one or more non-residential premises
d. Dual Use
e. Unsafe Properties
f. Properties to be Demolished
g. Newly Converted Premises

Question 5

5. What must a Chartered Surveyor do when arriving at a property?

Answer 5

a. Identify themselves to the person at the property

Question 6

6. What is the maximum height a surveyor should use a ladder to and at what angle should it be place?

Answer 6

a. 3m and they should not use the top four rungs
b. 70 Degrees

Question 7

7. What should a surveyor do if a person/s under the age of 16 are left in charge of the property?

Answer 7

a. Postpone the inspection until a responsible adult can be present

Question 8

8. How long must site notes be securely stored?

Answer 8

a. Not less than 15 years

Question 9

9. What must a surveyor do when visiting a construction site?

Answer 9

a. Comply with the Site Manager’s directions and wear appropriate equipment

Question 10

10. What aspects should a survey make no comment on within the single survey?

Answer 10

a. Usefulness
b. Marketability
c. Attractiveness
d. Security equipment i.e burglar alarms
e. Costs of repair works
f. Handling or advising on potentially harmful substances i.e Asbestos, Cladding etc

Question 11

11. What are the Asbestos regulations?

Answer 11

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Question 12

12. What are the 3 main category ratings within the Condition Report?

Answer 12

a. Cat 1: No immediate action or repair is needed
b. Cat 2: Repairs or replacements requiring future attention, but estimates are still advised
c. Cat 3: Urgent repairs or replacements needed now. If left unattended they may cause a hazard to health and safety. Estimates for repairs are needed now.

Question 13

13. What is the BCIS and when is it used?

Answer 13

a. Building Cost Information Service
b. Used to calculate remedials costs

Question 14

14. What is the usual shelf-life of a home report before it requires to be refreshed / replaced?

Answer 14

a. Single Surveys don’t have a fixed shelf life however most lenders will require a HR refreshment after 3 months.

Question 15

15. What information should be obtained from the seller when conducting the survey?

Answer 15

a. How long has the seller lived in the property?
b. Structural alterations/extensions/additions (including approximate date, planning permission and building regulations approval)
c. Any known major structural repairs (such as underpinning)
d. Known defects and problems
e. Locations of concealed traps or hatches, recent repairs, whether executed by professionals or DIY guarantees or warranties
f. Age of service installations maintenance records for central heating boilers
g. Drainage
h. Ownership / maintenance of shared boundaries / access areas, rights of way, highway adoption, previous flooding or rainwater ingress

Question 16

16. What is the definition of a “check”?

Answer 16

a. A visual, non-destructive inspection which is part of normal operation

Question 17

17. What tools are required to conduct a survey?

Answer 17

a. Binoculars
b. Ladder
c. Distometer
d. Moisture Meter
e. Torch
f. Spirit Level
g. Pocket Mirror
h. Compass
i. Mobile Phone
j. Latex Gloves
k. Disposable Masks

Question 18

18. If a surveyor finds loose-fill asbestos insulation during an inspection what should they do?

Answer 18

a. Terminate the inspection immediately, inform the seller of the reason, recommend that it is removed in an appropriate manner and arrange to complete the inspection once works are completed.

Question 19

19. What should the surveyor do if they are intimidated or abused during the inspection?

Answer 19

a. Terminate or postpone the inspection

Question 20

20. What is “Common Law Duty”?

Answer 20

a. A duty of care which surveyors have for their clients and customers

Question 21

21. How would a surveyor find out about flood plains?

Answer 21

a. SEPA Flood Maps

Question 22

22. What are some safety risks to be considered by a surveyor carrying out a single survey?

Answer 22

a. Lack of windows for emergency escape
b. Inadequate fire precautions
c. Absence of safety glass
d. Lead water pipes
e. Radon gas area
f. Detection of gas smell
g. Working from height
h. Asbestos risk

Question 23

23. What is Radon Gas and what services are available to locate it?

Answer 23

a. Radon is a radioactive gas that we can’t see, smell or taste. It requires specialist equipment to be detected. It coms from the rocks and soil found everywhere in the UK. It dissipates easily outside but can build up in buildings. Prelonged exposure to high levels of Radon gas can cause lung cancer.
b. UK Radon maps can be used to find areas affected by Radon Gas

Question 24

24. What is the definition of Market Value?

Answer 24

a. The estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.

Question 25

If a transcript came through and the property had a retention, how would you deal with this?

Answer 25

I would refer to the lenders guidance and report on it accordingly.