Condition surveys

Understanding the condition of a property is fundamental for property owners, investors, landlords and tenants in order for them to adequately maintain the condition of their buildings. A condition survey will also provide the opportunity to plan for future maintenance to keep the property functioning, provide a greater understanding of the building’s construction, fabric and component parts as well as assessing its suitability for modification and adaption. Building owners also have a legal duty to ensure that their buildings are safe.

People with an interest in the condition of a property may range from an individual with an interest in a single property to owners/investors of property portfolios or landlords/tenants with an interest in maintaining the property in accordance with their lease. All will require a detailed assessment of the property assets condition to inform future spending and investment.

A condition survey can form a standalone assessment of the physical condition of the property at a moment in time. However, with the provision of some additional services and reviews it can be used to inform and produce:

• due diligence/acquisition surveys
• reactive repairs and replacement strategies
• risk reviews and assessments of building fabric (cladding external wall systems and damp and mould, for example)
• planned preventative maintenance reports
• statutory compliance reviews
• lease documents
• legal matters (party wall and dilapidations for example)
• feasibility studies for extension or modification
• suitability for extension or modification
• facet surveys and
• fit-out feasibility.

This section is maintained by Mathew Fenner of Sanderson Weatherall.

RICS standards: Asbestos and its implications for surveyors and their clients