Home Health Check Terms & Conditions
Please see below for the terms and conditions relating to your service
Home Health Check Terms and Conditions
The Home Health Check service does not constitute a RICS Home Survey and no liability is assumed for this service, which does not include a property valuation. This service is suitable for clients who want a verbal, high level overview of the condition of a property. The scope of the services I shall perform this service are set out below.
Based on the inspection as defined below, I am a Chartered Surveyor and I will provide you with a photographic schedule of the visible condition of the identified property. It should be noted that the photographic schedule provides a record of the condition of the property only on the date it was inspected. The photographs are intended to support a verbal discussion to inform you about the overall condition of the property and they do not provide a complete photographic record of every element of construction. I will carry out my duties with the skill and care that can be reasonably expected from an experienced Chartered Surveyor.
As part of the service, we offer a 30-minute phone call to provide high-level feedback on the surveyor’s findings (supported by the emailed photographic schedule) and answer any questions arising. This is an informal conversation for which no liability for information, errors or advice provided is assumed or accepted. Any additional time taken to respond to further queries or telephone calls will be chargeable at an agreed rate.
Where it is recommended in the body of our report that specialist reports/tests are sought and/or that further investigations are advised, we would stress that these reports, tests and results of investigations should be obtained prior to legal commitment to purchase (as appropriate).
These Terms are governed by English law. Both you (as our client) and Calsurv agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Assumptions
Unless otherwise expressly agreed with me, while preparing the report I will assume that:
the property (if for sale) is offered with vacant possession
the property is connected to mains services with appropriate rights on a basis that is both known and acceptable to you; and
access to the property is as of right based on terms both known and acceptable to you.
Dangerous materials, contamination and environmental issues
I make no enquiries about contamination or other environmental dangers. If I suspect a problem, I will recommend further investigations.
I will assume that no harmful or dangerous materials have been used in the construction and I do not have a duty to justify making this assumption. That said, if the inspection shows that these materials have been used, I must report this and ask you for further instructions.
I do not carry out an asbestos inspection or act as an asbestos inspector when inspecting properties that may fall within the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
With flats, I assume there is a ‘dutyholder’ (as defined in the Regulations), an asbestos register and an effective management plan all in place and none of these presents a significant risk to health or need any immediate payment. I do not consult the dutyholder.
It must be stressed that materials are often concealed within the construction of the building and I cannot report on any underground cables/services.
Consents, approvals and searches
I will assume that the property is not subject to any unusual or especially onerous restrictions or covenants, which apply to the structure or affect the reasonable enjoyment of the property.
I will assume that all building regulations, planning permissions and other consents required have been obtained. In the case of new buildings, alterations and extensions which require statutory consents or approvals, I will not verify whether these have been obtained but I may identify where these consents may have been required. You should ask your legal adviser to follow up on these matters (as appropriate). I will not inspect drawings and specifications as a part of the Home Health Check.
I will assume that the property is unaffected by any matters which would be revealed by a local search (or their equivalent in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) and replies to the usual enquiries, or by a statutory notice and that neither the property, nor its condition, its use or its intended use is or will be unlawful.
Referral fees
I do not pay a referral fee or equivalent inducement to any party who may have recommended my services to you.
Restriction on disclosure
The photographic schedule is for your private and confidential use. You must not reproduce it completely or in part. Third parties (with the exception of your professional advisers) cannot use it without my express written authority. Any other persons rely on the report at their own risk.
As a RICS member, I may be required to disclose the report to RICS Regulation as part of its work to ensure that RICS professional standards are being maintained.
Complaints
I shall do my very best to provide you with an excellent service, however, if you believe that you have cause for complaint, Calsurv has a complaints procedure, a copy of which can be given to you on request.
The inspection
The extent of an inspection will depend on a range of specific circumstances (including health and safety considerations). The following critical aspects may help distinguish this from inspections at other levels of service.
Windows
I will not attempt to open any of the windows.
Roof space
I will carry out an inspection of roof space that is not more than three metres above floor level using a ladder if it is safe and reasonable to do so. I will not remove secured access panels and/or lift insulation material, stored goods or other contents. I will enter the roof space and visually inspect the roof structure if it is safe and reasonable to do so, with particular attention paid to those parts vulnerable to deterioration and damage. In these places, I will use a moisture meter where I consider it to be appropriate.
In recent years, the lofts of many homes have been insulated with thick layers of thermal insulation. Usually, it is not safe to move across this material and this may restrict what I can look at in the roof space.
Floors
I will visually inspect the surfaces of exposed floors but I will not lift carpets, floor coverings or floorboards or move furniture. Where floors have unfixed access hatches or floorboards, where appropriate, I will look in any spaces below the floor by an inverted ‘head and shoulder’ inspection only. I will not enter the sub-floor area.
Furniture and occupiers’ possessions
I will not move furniture or possessions.
Services (for example, heating and hot and cold water)
I will not test the service installations or appliances in any way or lift inspection chamber covers over the drains.
The grounds
I will visually inspect the garden/grounds during a general walk around and, where necessary and appropriate, from adjoining public property. I will include such external features as retaining walls, gardens, drives, paths, terraces, patios, steps, hard-standings, dropped kerbs, gates, trees, boundary walls, fences, non-permanent outbuildings, rights of way and so on.
I will inspect the inside and outside of all permanent outbuildings not attached to the main dwelling (subject to suitable and safe access). This includes garages, summer houses, substantial greenhouses, follies and leisure buildings but not the leisure facilities inside, for example, swimming pools, saunas, fitness gyms and so on.
I will use a ladder to inspect a roof that is not visible from a window or another part of the building that is not more than three metres above ground level if it is safe and reasonable to do so.