Inspections and Reports on Dwellings was originally a four volume series written in anticipation of mandatory Home Condition Reports. Since this proposal was superseded there has been an increasing recognition that purchasers of residential property require an independent professional assessment of the homes they are considering buying. This second edition of Assessing Age updates the market context within which surveyors and valuers are now operating. In particular it has a new section on post-2000 properties, reflecting the profound impact of Government policies and environmental concerns on the modern urban landscape. Contains hundreds of high quality photographs of buildings from the 1600s to the present day.

Identifying the age of a property is a fundamental step in understanding its form of construction and in being prepared to differentiate between the characteristic defects of that age of property and defects which are more unusual and may warrant particular care in investigation and assessment. This second edition of Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age updates the market context within which surveyors and valuers are now operating. In particular it has a new section on post-2000 properties, reflecting the profound impact of Government policies and environmental concerns on the modern urban landscape. The book is divided into thirteen age bands with over seventy color photographs of dwellings for each period. A commentary on each age band outlines the social, environmental and technical influences on properties being built at the time, helping to explain why they look as they do. A broad range of dwellings is covered: large and small, private and public sector, old and new, and particular features which help to place a dwelling within one of the defined periods are highlighted in comments on the photographs. This book is intended for all those engaged in inspecting dwellings, whether experienced, newly qualified or studying for appropriate qualifications to become members of professional institutions.

Inspections and Reports on Dwellingsis a series of books covering all the procedures for preparing reports on dwellings for buyers, lenders and sellers. It follows the professional guidelines developed in the light of court cases on negligence and Government requirements for the production of Home Condition Reports. Reporting for Buyersis the third book in Ian Melville and Ian Gordon'sseries. Following the assessment of age and the inspection, the aim of this volume is to show the surveyor how to set out their findings in a clear, unambiguous and unequivocal manner. This book shows how that can be achieved for the three key types of reports for buyers: Mortgage Valuation, Homebuyer Survey and Valuation and Building Survey. The book provides a down to earth view of the practicalities involved in valuing dwellings by the Comparative, Investment (for the 'Buy to Let' market) and Residual methods, following the requirements of the 'Red Book'. All those engaged in inspecting, whether studying to qualify, newly qualified or experienced will benefit greatly from reading this book.

Inspections and Reports on Dwellings is a three-volume series that comprehensively explores the process of independent professional home assessment required for the purchase of residential property. This fully updated second edition of Inspecting retains a focus on the needs of the surveyor to recognise and interpret the significance of observations on site, whilst updating the market context within which surveyors and valuers are operating. Inspecting includes a consideration of the important benchmarking by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) of three distinct survey service levels for independent surveyors and a review of the wider choice of survey options professional surveyors can now offer to potential clients in addition to the RICS Home Survey range. There is additional content on preparing for the inspection and on reporting, and there are expanded or completely new sections on a variety of subjects such as conservatories, renewable energy technologies, and innovative techniques and forms of construction. With over 500 colour illustrations and an enhanced structure, the new edition reflects the very latest approach to inspecting and reporting on services, risk and legal matters. This book is essential reading for all those engaged in inspecting dwellings, whether experienced, newly qualified or studying for appropriate qualifications to become members of professional institutions.

With the introduction of Home Information Packs and Home Condition Reports house buying is being revolutionised! This second book in the series of four, following Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age, covers the entire field of inspecting dwellings, from ascertaining the clients' requirements, setting the instructions by way of agreeing the Conditions of Engagement for any one of the five types of report envisaged as being covered by the series, to the physical inspection itself. Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed - qualifications, necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his work and his own person, together with his fees. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and its condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell. *Contains 350 colour photographs *Relates defects to age and all types of construction *Second in the series of four

With the introduction of Home Information Packs and Home Condition Reports house buying is being revolutionised! This second book in the series of four, following Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age, covers the entire field of inspecting dwellings, from ascertaining the clients’ requirements, setting the instructions by way of agreeing the Conditions of Engagement for any one of the five types of report envisaged as being covered by the series, to the physical inspection itself. Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed – qualifications, necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his work and his own person, together with his fees. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and its condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell.

Inspections and Reports on Dwellings is a series of four books, the first three of which have already been published to considerable success. This concluding book covers reports prepared before dwellings are put on the market for sale, whether as a legal requirement or on a voluntary basis. All take into account guidelines laid down by the Courts for this type of work. Sellers’ surveys are not new, but only now have standard formats been developed. In England and Wales this is the Home Condition Report, with its Energy Performance Certificate, which can only be prepared by Licensed Home Inspectors. The Home Inspectors hold a Diploma in Home Inspection, sometimes with an add-on Certificate in Valuation of Residential Property for Secured Lending and they are members of a Government approved certification scheme. In Scotland each dwelling must have a Single Survey Report carried out before it goes on the market from 1 December 2008. The Single Survey Report describes the condition, sets out accessibility information, contains a valuation and energy reports. Initially only Chartered Surveyors will be authorised to do this work. Both Inspectors and Surveyors have to follow Codes of Conduct and Practice, carry professional indemnity insurance and allow their reports to be monitored to maintain standards – an entirely new concept. The book examines the relevant legislation and looks closely at the entire qualification and certification process for Home Inspector Valuers. Additionally the likely reaction of sellers, buyers and lenders are discussed. A substantial section is devoted to lending on dwellings and the practicalities of their valuation by the Comparative, Investment and Residual methods following the requirements of the ‘Red Book’. Four detailed sample reports are included to demonstrate how reports must be presented. The book is intended for all those engaged in the preparation of reports on dwellings whether experienced, newly qualified or studying. As well as being an essential book for surveyors it will also be of considerable interest to solicitors and estate agents, particularly those based in Scotland. The authors, experienced Chartered Surveyors, have written extensively on the diagnosis of defects in dwellings and are joint authors of the successful EG Books publication The Repair and Maintenance of Houses, 2nd edn.