Standard Conditions of Engagement For a Building Survey Report on a Commercial Property.

Subject to express agreement to the contrary and any agreed amendments/additions, the terms on which the surveyor will undertake the Building Survey are set out below.

1.  Based on an inspection as defined below, the Surveyor, who will be a Chartered Surveyor will advise the Client by means of a written Report as to his opinion of the visible condition and state of repair of the subject property.

2. The Inspection

(a) Accessibility and Voids

The Surveyor will inspect as much of the surface area of the structure as is practicable but will not inspect those areas which are covered, unexposed or not reasonably accessible.

(b) Floors

The Surveyor will lift accessible sample loose floorboards and trap doors, if any, which are not covered by heavy furniture, ply or hard board, carpets or other floor coverings. The Surveyor will not attempt to raise fixed floorboards without the written permission of the owner.

(c) Roofs

The Surveyor will inspect the roof spaces if there are available hatches. The Surveyor will have a ladder of sufficient height to gain access to a roof hatch or to a single storey roof, not more than 3.0 m (10′ 0″) above the floor or adjacent ground. It might therefore not be possible to inspect roofs above this level; in such cases, pitched roofs will be inspected by binoculars. The Surveyor will follow the guidance given in Surveying Safely issued by the RICS in April 1991, which incorporates the guidance given in Guidance Note G531 on the safe use of ladders and step ladders issued by the Health and Safety Executive.

(d) Boundaries, Grounds and Outbuildings

The inspection will not include boundaries, grounds, outbuildings, specialist leisure facilities, swimming pools or tennis courts.

(e) Services

The Surveyor will carry out a visual inspection of the service installation where accessible. Manhole covers will be lifted where accessible and practicable. No tests will be applied unless previously agreed. The Surveyor will report if, as a result of his inspection, the Surveyor considers that tests are advisable and, if considered necessary, an inspection and report by a specialist should be obtained.

(f) Areas not Inspected

The Surveyor will identify any areas which would normally be inspected but which he was unable to inspect and indicate where he considers that access should be obtained or formed and, furthermore, he will advise on possible or probable defects based on evidence from what he has been able to see.

3. Deleterious and Hazardous Materials

(a) Unless otherwise expressly stated in the Report, the Surveyor will assume that no deleterious or hazardous materials or techniques have been used in the construction of the property. However, the Surveyor will advise in the Report if, in his view, there is a likelihood that high alumina cement (HAG) concrete has been used in the construction and that, in such cases, specific enquiries should be made or tests carried out by a specialist.

(b) Lead water supply pipes and asbestos will be noted, and advice given, if these materials can be seen but it must be appreciated that such materials are often only visible after opening up which cannot be carried out at the risk of causing damage – see paragraph 2(a) above.

(c)  The Surveyor will advise if there are transformer stations or overhead power lines which might give rise to an electro-magnetic field, either over the subject property or visible immediately adjacent to the property, but the Surveyor cannot assess any possible effect on health. For obvious reasons, the Surveyor cannot report on any underground cables.

4. Contamination

The Surveyor will not comment upon the existence of contamination as this can only be established by appropriate specialists. Where, from his local knowledge or the inspection, he considers that contamination might be a problem he should advise as to the importance of obtaining a report from an appropriate specialist.

5. Consents, Approvals and Searches

(a) The Surveyor 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.

(b) The Surveyor will assume that all bye-laws, Building Regulations and other consents required have been obtained. In the cases of new buildings, and alterations and extensions which require statutory consents or approvals, the Surveyor will not verify whether such consents have been obtained. Any enquiries should be made by the client or his legal advisers. Drawings and specifications will not be inspected by the Surveyor.

(c) The Surveyor will assume that the property is unaffected by any matters which would be revealed by a Local Search (or their equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) 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.

6. Fees and Expenses

The Client will pay the Surveyor the agreed fee for the Report and any expressly agreed disbursements in addition. VAT will be payable in addition.

7. Restriction on Disclosure

The Report is for the sole use of the named Client and is confidential to the Client and his professional advisers. Any other persons rely on the Report at their own risk.

8. Complaints Procedure

The practice has in place a complaints procedure in accordance with the regulations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Full details will be provided upon request.

Note: A Building Survey Report does not automatically include advice on value or a reinstatement cost assessment for insurance purposes. However, the Surveyor will be prepared to provide such opinions, if this is agreed at the time of taking instructions.