If you own a home, you’ve probably already employed an expert surveyor and know the importance of their services. If not, you have to look into the reasons why owners are required to have their property surveyed and whether you should take the same approach.
A professional’s advice can inform you of the relevant legal aspects for your property. There are many reasons for homeowners to employ a surveyor, but these are the most popular four we’ve seen. Check out the four main reasons homeowners choose to get survey of their land and property.
- The Purchase of a New Home
The purchase of a home is a substantial investment particularly for those who are first-time buyers therefore it is essential to be aware of what you are buying. This is true for not just existing homeowners but also those planning to jump. Simply walking into a house and falling in love with the setting isn’t enough to make a decision. You must be aware of the condition of the property since there’s a chance that there are flaws or defects in the property that prospective buyers aren’t aware of.
Be aware that a valuation is not an assessment.
If you do not know what the building is the house you want to build, it could become a nightmare. In the average, homeowners who don’t request property surveys pay more than the amount of £5,500 for repairs when they move into their home.
This amount could be considerably higher for buyers who are faced with major issues that were not addressed.
It is possible to avoid this through building surveys – which is among the most important reasons people choose to hire surveyors.
After a surveyor examines the property, buyers are able to make an informed decision on the property. They will receive the condition report, buyer’s report, as well as an extensive survey of the building.
- Boundary Line Disputs
“Wars have been fought to get less!”
This is a quote from the British sitcom My Family when Ben Harper is enraged when a neighbor takes up 8cm of his backyard after he repaired a fence that was damaged.
Although it’s a hilarious episode it illuminates the complexities of conflicts that are typical for owners of land. You want to know if the property is legally yours and you do not want someone other than you to take it (…even even if it’s just 8 centimeters).
One of the main reasons that building surveyors London are called upon is for boundary line questions. Consulting a professional regarding boundary lines is essential to construct fences or pave driveways, as an example.
In many cases, your neighbor could accidentally take over some of your land… therefore, before you have any concrete set or the fence has been erected it is recommended to contact an engineer for an official boundary line certificate.
- Walls for the Party Walls
If you and a neighbor have a wall to share it is important to know about the Party Wall Act. Check out the video below for details on what exactly a wall for a party is:
This means that you and your neighbor are the owners of the wall between your properties. When you are doing any construction work on your property (even when it’s on the wall that is part of your party) it is your legal obligation to notify the neighbour of any renovations or the construction.
Here is the place a wall surveyor can enter the picture to provide expert advice and will assist with solving problems.
- Improvements to your home
Surveyors are employed to verify that construction and improvements made on buildings comply with the laws. The surveyor will make sure there are no violation and provide you with all the necessary information for the construction in a confidential manner. Possible restrictions may be pertaining to the construction height, dimensions of frontage, etc.