Inspection - Level 1

Question 1

What reasons do you have for inspection;

Answer 1

Loan security, Home Survey, Repossession, Inheritance tax valuation.

Question 2

What are the Key Principles of the Home Standard?

Answer 2

The new RICS Home survey standard came into effect on 1 March 2021. Mandatory from September 1st.

Establish a clear framework that sets minimum expectations at each level, provide mandatory requirements for RICS members and regulated firms, replace and harmonise previous RICS publications.

Question 3

What is in a Level 1?

Answer 3

For each element of the building, the RICS member should:

• describe the part or element in enough detail so it can be properly identified by the client
• describe the condition of the part or element that justifies the RICS member’s judgement and
• provide a clear and concise expression of the RICS member’s professional assessment of each part or element.

Question 4

What is in a Level 2?

Answer 4

Level 2 - Although it will provide more information, it should still be short and to the point, avoiding irrelevant or unhelpful details and jargon. Material defects should be described and the identifiable risk of those that may be hidden should be stated.

A level two report will have the following additional characteristics:
• it should include comments where the design or materials used in the construction of a building element may result in more frequent and/or more costly maintenance and repairs than would normally be expected
• the likely remedial work should be broadly outlined and what needs to be done by whom and by when should be identified
• concise explanations of the implications of not addressing the identified problems should be given and
• cross-references to the RICS member’s overall assessment should be included. Survey level two reports should also make it clear that the client should obtain any further advice and quotations recommended by the RICS member before they enter into a legal commitment.

Question 5

What is in a Level 3?

Answer 5

Level 3 - should reflect the thoroughness and detail of the investigation. It should address the following matters:

• the form of construction and materials used for each part of the building should be described in detail, outlining any performance characteristics. This is especially important for older and historic buildings where the movement of moisture through building materials can be critical to how the building performs
• obvious defects should be described and the identifiable risk of those that may be hidden should be stated
• remedial options should be outlined along with, if considered to be serious, the likely consequences if the repairs are not done
• a timescale for the necessary work should be proposed, including (where appropriate and necessary) recommendations for further investigation

• future maintenance of the property should be discussed, identifying those elements that may result in more frequent and/or more costly maintenance and repairs than would normally be expected
the nature of risks of the parts that have not been inspected should be identified and

• prioritisation of issues should be outlined

Question 6

What is in a dynamic safety risk assessment?

Answer 6

The dynamic risk assessment accepts the situation on the day may presents risks different to those expected.

Re-evaluate on site. Is the inspection till safe? Can control measures be put in place.