Scope of Service
{{company_name}} (referred to as 'we', 'us' and 'the surveyor' from here on) shall provide the Level 2 Report to our client (named above and referred to as 'you' from here on), which shall be delivered in accordance with the current edition of the RICS Professional Statement Home Survey Standard and shall be equivalent to level 2.
The Level 2 (survey only) service includes:
- a physical inspection of the property (see The Inspection)
- a report based on the inspection (see The Report)
The surveyor who provides the Level 2 (survey only) service aims to give you professional advice to help you:
- make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
- take into account any repairs or replacements the property needs
- consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing the property
Any extra services provided that are not covered by the terms and conditions of this service must be covered by a separate contract. Examples of extra services include:
- costing of repairs
- schedules of works
- supervision of works
- re-inspection
- detailed specific issue reports
- market valuation and reinstatement costs
The service will be provided by an AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who has the skills, knowledge and experience to survey and report on the property.
The Inspection
Before the inspection, you should tell us if there is already an agreed or proposed price for the property and if you have any particular concerns about the property.
Prior to the inspection, we carry out a desk-top study and make oral enquiries for information about matters affecting the property. Where possible the vendor will be sent a questionnaire to provide further information on the subject property.
With permission from the homeowner, we will undertake a full visual and non-invasive inspection which consists of the following:
- We inspect roofs, chimneys and other surfaces on the outside of the building from ground level and, if necessary, from neighbouring public property and with the help of binoculars.
- We inspect the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings, but we do not force or open up the fabric of the building.
- We inspect the roof structure from inside the roof space if there is access and visually inspect the roof structure with attention paid to those parts vulnerable to deterioration and damage.
- We will attempt to open a sample of the windows and doors.
- We examine floor surfaces and under-floor spaces so far as there is safe access to these via an inverted head and shoulders inspection.
- We visually inspect the parts of the electricity, gas/oil, water, heating and drainage services that can be seen, but we do not test them.
- We will attempt to lift accessible inspection chamber covers to drains where it is safe to do so and without causing damage.
- We inspect the condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings and areas in common/shared use where access can be obtained.
The Report
We will provide a property-specific report for the service in accordance with the current edition of the RICS Professional Statement Home Survey Standard. The report is produced from the results of the inspection. This is for you, the client, to use and we cannot accept liability if it is used by anyone else.
The report objectively describes the condition of the elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects or problems. Although concise, the Level 2 (survey only) report does include advice about repairs or ongoing maintenance issues. Where the surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigation should be made.
Condition Ratings
- R - Documents we may suggest you request before you sign contracts.
- Condition rating 3 - Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.
- Condition rating 2 - Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be serious or urgent. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
- Condition rating 1 - No repair is currently needed. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
- NI - Elements not inspected.
Flats
When inspecting flats, the surveyor assesses the general condition of the outside surfaces of the building, access areas such as shared hallways and staircases that lead directly to the subject flat, and roof spaces where accessible from within and owned by the subject flat. The surveyor does not inspect drains, lifts, fire alarms and security systems. External wall systems are not inspected; if specific concerns are identified, further investigation will be recommended before making a legal commitment to purchase.
Matters Not Covered in the Report
The report will not tell you about:
- The value of the property, unless otherwise agreed.
- Matters that might affect value such as location, availability of public transport or other facilities.
- Minor defects that would not normally affect your decision to buy.
- How to undertake repairs to remedy defects or deficiencies.
- The cost of repair work.
- The efficiency of services installed or features that could only be monitored over a longer period.
- Asbestos, except where the surveyor notes suspected presence and recommends further investigation.
Dangerous Materials, Contamination and Environmental Issues
We do not make enquiries about contamination or other environmental dangers. However, if the surveyor suspects a problem, further investigation will be recommended. The surveyor may assume that no harmful or dangerous materials have been used in the construction and does not have a duty to justify this assumption. The surveyor does not carry out an asbestos inspection and does not act as an asbestos inspector.
Limitations & Exclusions
At the point at which the survey is carried out, although it is for your benefit, you will not own the property and therefore the inspection will be subject to some limitations. The surveyor will carry out the inspection from all vantage points possible but cannot:
- Report on leisure facilities or equipment.
- Report on temporary outbuildings.
- Trespass on adjacent private property.
- Walk on any sort of roof.
- Access areas more than 3m above floor level, except from ground level or a vantage point within the building.
- Take up or move carpets, floor coverings, floorboards, insulation, heavy furniture or stored goods.
- Force open or remove secure panels or the fabric of the building.
- Undertake specialist tests of services or comment on the efficiency of services or renewable installations.
- Assess the inside of chimneys, boilers or other flues.
- Comment on sound insulation or noise of any sort.
The surveyor will curtail the inspection if it is unsafe to continue for any reason, including risk of damage to the property, risk to occupiers or visitors, or risk to the safety of the surveyor.
Fees & Payment Terms
Our fees are based primarily on the degree of responsibility and skill involved and the time necessarily taken up by the matter. You agree to pay the agreed fee, any additional fees, VAT and any other charges agreed in writing as set out in the Declaration of Terms or as further agreed between you and us in writing.
An invoice will be presented prior to the confirmed date of inspection and is payable prior to the day of inspection. We reserve the right not to attend or to postpone an inspection until payment is made. Reports will not be released until full payment is made.
All payments are to be made by bank transfer to the following bank account:
| Account Name | {{bank_account_name}} |
|---|
| Bank | {{bank_name}} |
|---|
| Sort Code | {{sort_code}} |
|---|
| Account Number | {{account_number}} |
|---|
The client will be liable for interest on any late payment at the rate of 10% per annum above the Bank of England base rate current at the date of the relevant fee account. We do not accept payment by cash. Payment made in advance does not constitute client money and is not subject to RICS Client Money Protection Scheme rules.
Cancellation
Once the Declaration of Terms is signed and returned, the client has 14 days from the date of the agreement to cancel the instruction without reason. However, if the client instructs the surveyor to perform the survey during the cancellation period, the client will be liable for the surveyor fees for performing the inspection and preparing the report.
- We may terminate our engagement for good reason, including where a conflict of interest arises.
- We may terminate where it would not be in your best interest for us to work for you.
- We may terminate where instructions conflict with professional conduct requirements or where it is unsafe to inspect the property.
Papers and Documentation
Our reports will be sent in electronic PDF format by email. Paper documentation will only be provided if instructed in writing at instruction stage and agreed by us. We reserve the right to charge for requested paper copies of the report and supporting documents.
- £25 + VAT: one colour copy of the report posted to your correspondence address.
- £50 + VAT: one colour copy of the report with schedule of photographs, bound and posted to your correspondence address.
Retention of Documents
We will retain files and documents for a reasonable period, which will in any event be not less than 6 years after completion or termination of our service. These may be securely stored and available for future inspection, if required, for up to a maximum of 15 years unless specifically required by a court or otherwise to keep them longer.
Audit of Files
As a RICS regulated firm, external organisations may conduct audit or quality assurance reviews on our practice. Your file may be subject to monitoring and review, and we may need to provide it to RICS on request in accordance with RICS Rules of Conduct.
Referral Fees
{{referral_fee_text}}
Complaints Handling Procedure
If at any time you would like to discuss how our service could be improved, or if you are dissatisfied with the service you are receiving, please get in touch with {{complaints_contact}}. If we have given a less than satisfactory service, we will do everything reasonable to put it right.
{{company_name}} operates a Complaints Handling Procedure that complies with the RICS Rules of Conduct. A copy is available upon request.
Communication
The procedure for taking and confirming instructions will vary according to the urgency of the matter but a signed copy of this document must be returned before an inspection is carried out. We may communicate with you and third parties by post, telephone and email unless you advise us otherwise in writing.
Email will be treated as written correspondence. Email may not be secure and delivery is uncertain. If you send instructions by email, particularly instructions varying previous instructions or requiring urgent action, you should verify by telephone that the email has been received.
Data Protection
In relation to personal data provided to us to enable us to advise you, you are the data controller and we are a data processor. We will process such personal data on your behalf in accordance with your instructions and applicable data protection requirements. The client confirms that they give consent to {{company_name}} to handle their personal data under GDPR for the purposes of complying with the specified service and these terms.
Liability & Insurance
{{company_name}} is regulated by the RICS and compliance with RICS standards may be subject to monitoring under the Institution conduct and disciplinary regulations.
There is no limitation of liability for death or personal injury caused by the surveyor negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any matter where it is unlawful to exclude liability. We shall have no liability for any failure to comply with this agreement where such failure is due to circumstances beyond the surveyor control.
The report is prepared solely for use by you and your conveyancer. It is not intended to be used or relied upon by any third party and the surveyor accepts no liability to any other third party.
Our aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with this instruction, whether arising from negligence, breach of contract or any other cause, shall not exceed fifty times the gross VAT fee paid, £100,000, or the award made by the independent redress provider, whichever is the lower amount. We will not be liable for consequential, special, indirect or exemplary damages, costs or losses attributable to lost profits or opportunities.
We maintain a level of insurance at least sufficient to cover our liability to you in accordance with these terms. These terms of engagement are governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law and the English Courts shall have jurisdiction to resolve any dispute.
Declaration of Terms
The Terms of Engagement and the RICS Professional Statement Home Survey Standard set out the whole of the surveyor agreement relating to the supply of services provided by the surveyor to the client.
| DATE | {{terms_date}} |
|---|
| OUR REFERENCE | {{our_reference}} |
|---|
| PROPERTY ADDRESS | {{property_address}} |
|---|
| CLIENT[S] | {{client_name}} |
|---|
| INTENDED FOR USE | {{intended_use}} |
|---|
| SERVICE | {{report_type}} |
|---|
| INSPECTION DATE | {{inspection_date}} |
|---|
| REPORT ISSUED | {{report_issued}} |
|---|
| SURVEYOR DETAILS | {{surveyor_name}}, {{surveyor_qualifications}}, {{surveyor_email}}, {{surveyor_phone}} |
|---|
| CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECK | Completed on {{conflict_check_date}}. No actual, potential or perceived conflict identified. |
|---|
Fees
| Item | Net | VAT | Gross |
|---|
| Level 2 Home Survey Report | {{level2_fee_net}} | {{level2_fee_vat}} | {{level2_fee_gross}} |
| Specifically requested paper copies of the report | {{paper_copy_fee_net}} | {{paper_copy_fee_vat}} | {{paper_copy_fee_gross}} |
| Total Fee | {{total_net}} | {{total_vat}} | {{total_fee}} |
|---|
Payment Terms
Full payment required prior to the confirmed date of inspection.
Client Agreement
{{client_agreement_box}} As the client[s], I / we confirm that I / we have read in full and understand the process and the Terms and Conditions. I authorise {{company_name}} to immediately commence work on the report, and I accept that once the inspection has taken place, I will lose my right to cancel during the 14 day cooling-off period. I authorise {{company_name}} to process my personal data in accordance with these terms and its privacy policy.
| SIGNATURE | {{client_signature}} |
|---|
| DATE | {{client_signature_date}} |
|---|
| PRINT NAME | {{client_name}} |
|---|
| Signed forms should be returned to | {{return_to}} |
|---|