Home Condition Report Content

Introduction
The purpose of the terms of the report is so that all homeowners can expect the same standards from all Home Inspectors regarding Home Condition Reports. The Introduction, outlines to the seller that the duties of a certified Home Inspector i.e. to give an objective report on the condition of the property, and that each Home Inspector must belong to a government certified scheme. This section also explains what constitutes a valid Home Condition Report i.e. what is in it, what is not in it plus what is inspected (with an explanation of the condition ratings). Lastly, the non-invasive nature of the survey is explained along with what the seller should expect during the home inspection.

Section A: General Information
This section has unique information about the property such as the address and property reference number; the home inspection including the date of the inspection; and the home inspector membership number and contact details. The purpose of the ‘General Information’ section is to show sellers, buyers and mortgage lenders which property has been inspected, verify that the Home Inspector is certified and indicate whether the property has been inspected for the same owner sale previously.

Section B: Summary
A summary of information about the property with specific information for flats and maisonettes, living accommodation details, the construction of the property, alterations, central heating if applicable, mains services (gas, electricity, water and drainage) and information on outbuildings with their use such as garages. The condition of the property and environmental considerations when the inspection was completed is also noted. However, the HCR will not detail ground rent/service charges or repair costs (these may be highlighted for the conveyancer to look into at a later date). The reinstatement cost is ‘the sum at which the home should be insured against fire and other risks’ (CLG, 2006). This part of the report is very important as it summarises many of the detailed findings found later in the report including condition ratings for each part/element and highlights the areas that should be investigated further. Consumers can readily access this section of the report and get a clear idea of the condition of the property at a glance.

Section C: Conveyancing and health and safety issues (Legal Matters)
The Home Inspector highlights issues relating to legal matters that might require further investigation by the conveyancer or legal advisor. Any issues relating to contamination by hazardous materials and/or flooding along with health and safety issues relating to the property will be detailed. For example, the Home Inspector will report on whether asbestos is on site, boundary ownership and the presence of landfill sites. The key point here is that the seller, buyers and other related parties e.g. conveyancers and mortgage lenders are alerted to legal matters that can be investigated further. However, the Home Inspector is not positioned as a ‘legal’ expert’ but as the ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground who can point the seller and buyer in the right direction.

Section D: Outside/Exterior Condition
The external elements of the building including the roof, walls, windows and permanent outbuildings such as a garage are inspected visually from suitable vantage points. The Home Inspector will examine each element and giving condition ratings varying from 1 to 3 (NI for not inspected) and also reasons for the rating. This section of the report makes the seller and buyer aware of the restrictions of the inspection as elements such as the roof and chimney will be inspected at distance, usually ground level, using binoculars if needed.

Section E: Inside/Internal Condition
An inspection of the internal elements of a property detailed in this section of a report including walls, floors, the roof structure, ceilings, bathroom and kitchen fittings. Woodwork and walls are also tested for damp using a moisture metre. This section again explains the non-invasive visual nature of the inspection with the moisture metre as the key tool and the home inspector and some of the doors and windows are opened and closed to note their condition. As with other elements of the building, inside and out, a condition rating is noted along with the corresponding justification for allocating the rating. Any inaccessible areas are noted here with an explanation i.e. unable to move the seller’s belongings or entry could not be gained safely to the roof space.

Section F: Services
The Home Inspector is not a specialist in electrics, gas, water, heating and drainage so cannot give an objective opinion about service elements that cannot be seen such as pipes and wiring. A Home Inspector will be able to ask the seller to switch on the heating system (if the boiler and water are already on) and get permission to access a drainage inspection chamber and switch on a few taps. This section also makes clear the areas that are not included in the inspection such as security systems and other domestic appliances. The onus is on the buyer to get independent advice from specialists about the services and other domestic appliances to ascertain their condition, safety and service them if required. This is the last section of the report that includes condition ratings and the reasons for them.

Section G: Grounds (including shared parts for flats)
Once the inside and outside of the property have been inspected, any outbuildings (e.g. conservatory with a glass roof or garage), boundary walls and other structures that are not part of the main building are investigated and included in this section. The Home Inspector will walk around the grounds of the property and make comments regarding the general condition of each part, indicate whether repairs are required. The garden, non-permanent outbuildings and leisure facilities are not included in this section and again it is up to the buyer to get independent advice about them.

View a sample Home Condition Report (includes an EPC) here.