Inspection Flashcards
What are the four types of inspection?
Desktop
Locality
External
Internal
Why is it important to plan an inspection?
If you don’t plan an inspection there is a risk that when you get there you may have to abandon it due to being unprepared.
What risks come with inspecting a property?
Under the Surveying Safely Guidance Note, there are 5 risks to be aware of.
Exposure to noise & vibration
Exposure to toxic hazardous materials
Requirement to drive for long periods
Lone working
Working next to vehicles or deep fast flowing water
Why do we need to carry out inspections?
For valuation purposes
For agency purposes
For property management purposes
How would you carry out an inspection?
I believe there are 4 stages.
Consider personal safety and what I would need to take
Early investigations
External inspection
Internal inspection
What are some factors why lenders may not want to lend on a property?
Invasive plants
Unhabitual conditions
Properties with severe damp
What defects would you expect to find in a period property?
Wet and or dry rot
Damp penetration
Slipped roof tiles
Structural movement or settlement
What defects would you typically find in a modern property?
Cavity wall tie failure
Structural movement
Water damage from poor water guttering
What is subsidence?
The vertical downward movement of a building foundation by loss of support.
What is heave?
When the ground expands caused by water retention in the ground or tree roots expanding.
What are the penalties for allowing Japanese Knotweed to spread?
Unlimited fine and or 2 years in prison
What would you do prior to an inspection?
I would do a pre assessment of the property. I would check the occupancy, condition and whether it was suitable for me to go on my own.
What would you check for in your pre assessment?
Whether the property is tenanted / who will be encountered - will they be dangerous?
Whether any areas are unsafe, or if its under construction / what stage it would be at.
Is it safe for me to go on my own?
What would you refer to perform best practice when it comes to Japanese knotweed?
The RICS Guidance Note: RICS Information Paper on Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property (March 2022)
What is the Guidance Note on Japanese Knotweed?
It provides a more holistic approach to the weed and ensures RICS provide the best approach.
Tell me more about what is in the Guidance Note?
Contains a decision tree based on the weeds risk level to help valuers determine the appropriate management of it.
What are the 4 categories of the Japanese Knotweed decision tree?
A = visible impacts on the building - don’t lend
B = visible impacts to the access, could loan, but value may be affected, seek specalist advice
C = Low impact, in the vicinity, could seek specialist advice
D = More than 3m away and won’t affect value, state in the report that we have noted this.
What crack did you see in Chiswick?
I saw a crack coming down from the ceiling, I advised that a building surveyor ought to come and have a look at it.
What crack did you see in Chiswick?
I saw a crack coming down from the ceiling, I advised that a building surveyor ought to come and have a look at it.
What are the different types of cracks?
Horizontal - in brickwork. Can indicate cavity wall tie failure
Shrinkage - often occurs in plasterwork in the drying out process.
You mention a property you inspected had significant mould. What type of mould was this? How do you think it was caused?
It was black mould which is caused by a lack of ventilation and condensation.
What are the other types of damp?
Dry rot - caused by a fungal attack, large orange bodies, smelly
Wet rot - caused by damp in timber, white soft timber, musty smell
Rising damp - doesn’t rise 1.5m above ground level, caused by moisture in the ground
What defects can you come across?
Latent and inherent.
Inherent = defect in the design
Latent = fault that could not be discovered by a thorough inspection.
What would you do if you came across a defect?
take a piccy
establish the cause
inform the client
recommend advise from someone like a BS
What would you carry out before a new build is fully complete?
Snagging: this identifies any defects for a house builder to fix before the property is moved into.
What construction types have you come across?
Sold brick wall
Cavity wall
What is your companies lone working policy?
Diary invites
Texting managers
Stay safe app
Describe me a typical Georgian property
Sash windows
Symmetrical windows
1714-1837
Describe to me a typical Victorian property
High pitched roofs
Bay sash windows
Ornate gable trim
1837-1901
Describe to me a typical Edwardian property
High Ceilings
Ornate decorative details
1901-1910
How would you undertake an inspection?
Firstly, please can I confirm whether this is internal, external or desktop?
Desktop: access, PPE required, location, comps, arrange access
External: hazards, location, age, construction
Internal: layout, condition, specification
What would you take on an inspection?
Charged mobile
Pen
Paper
Laser
PPE if nessecary
What are the three main defects?
Movement
water
Deterioration of building materials
What is the purpose of surveying safely?
To set out good practice principles of the management of health and safety for members and firms
What are the 3 types of damp?
Rising damp
Penentrating damp
Condensation
What are the penalties of allowing Japanese knotweed to spread?
£5k fine or 6 months in prison
