Inspection Flashcards
Name some purposes for an inspection
Valuation
Checking lease compliance
Checking statutory compliance
Assessing repair + condition
Assessing marketability
How do you take good inspection notes when on site?
Ensure notes are as detailed as possible but use shorthand (more practicable)
Use phone to make notes (automatically backed up)
Support notes with photos
Is there any guidance regarding inspections?
RICS Surveying Safely, 2018
VPS 4 (Inspections, investigations + records)
RICS Professional Standard ‘Environmental risks + global real estate’ (1st edn), 2018
How do you ensure you make appropriate access arrangements for inspections?
Property management inspection - would contact tenant at least 24hrs before if tenanted. If vacant, would ensure I have relevant key code
Valuation inspection - would make sure occupier is aware + available. Would have this confirmed in writing
What would you need to consider before undertaking an inspection?
Assess whether I am competent
Are there any risks
What PPE do I need?
Is it safe to go alone?
What documents might you review before going out to site?
Lease
Access arrangements
Site plans
Google maps
Risk assessments
What due diligence do you carry out prior to an inspection?
Access arrangements
Parking arrangements
How to get there/distance calculations
Prepare items - PPE, floor plans, charged phone, disto, batteries
Briefly explain the construction of a recent building you have inspected
Tell me about how you would ensure safe working at height / on a site with working machinery
I personally do not work at height / with any machinery as I am not trained to do so + don’t have insurance
However, if instructing a contractor to work at height, will review RAMS/CPP. Ensure they are an approved contractor + have received appropriate training
What building characteristics do you look for when inspecting a property?
Give me an example of where you have recognised a limitation of your knowledge + sought external specialist advice?
On one inspection of a residential property, noticed structural cracking
Acknowledged this was outside my scope of knowledge + referred it onto a building surveyor
What do you look for on a valuation inspection?
Location + surrounding area
Condition
Specification
Tenure
Defects
What do you look for internally (valuation)?
Layout
Specification
Defects
Fixtures + fittings
Size
Room size
Sustainable features
What do you look for externally (valuation)?
Method of construction
Condition
Access
Parking
Defects
Location
Site boundaries
Building age
What would you look for in the immediate area?
Surroundings - location, situation, amenities
Hazards - environmental hazards, contamination, flooding
Comparables - agents boards, local market
What is the most important thing to do prior to inspection?
H&S risk assessment
How would you check access requirements/obligations for an occupied property (and make sure you get it right first time)?
Check the lease
Which would be the most logical inspection methodology?
Surrounding area, external, internal
Where would you look in the Red Book Global (2025 Edition) for information on inspection?
VPS 4
What is a ‘proper record’ of an inspection?
Required under VPS 4 of Red Book
Audit trail of notes
Notes that allow an effective response to any future enquiries
What factors might you observe on an inspection that affect value?
Age
Design
Specification
Location
Construction
Repair/condition
How would you check the age of a property?
Architect’s plans
Planning history
Building regulations history
Lease
Speak to client or landlord
Land registry information
How might you recognise a Victorian property?
Constructed in 1837-1901
Bay windows
Single glazed sash windows
Solid wall brickwork
Iron railings
No damp course
Chimney breasts
Fireplaces in each room
What are the characteristics of a Georgian property?
Constructed in 1714-1830
Solid walls of brick or stone
Single glazed sash windows (6x6 panes)
Stone parapets
Slate roofs
Cellar
Symmetrical