There’s a lot to think about when moving house – packing your belongings, sorting out your utilities and exchanging contracts.

One thing you shouldn’t forget to schedule when buying a house or flat, is your property survey. It’ll reveal important details about the property that you might have otherwise missed.

This article will highlight 5 important things to remember during the process as well as some common problems found during a property survey.

1. Take notes during viewing
   When you view a property, keep an eye out for any large cracks or signs of damp. These are issues that will be flagged in your property survey when the time comes, but if you spot them early on you can also ask your surveyor to pay close attention to these areas. Factoring in your house survey costs early on will also help you to budget for your move.
2. Be mindful of property survey issues
   It’s vital to have a property survey carried out when you’re buying a house or flat. It’ll highlight any issues with the property that could save you money in the long run. If your survey flags anything really damaging, you’ll learn of this before you legally have to buy the house. It’ll also allow you to re-negotiate your offer to cover some repair costs.
3. Keep an eye out for invasive plant species
   Don’t forget to have a look around the garden and the exterior of the property when you’re at a viewing. Keep an eye out for any invasive plant species such as Japanese knotweed or bamboo. It might be difficult to get a mortgage if the property is affected by Japanese knotweed, but this should be highlighted in your survey before you’re legally committed to buy the house. Knotweed may be hard to spot during winter when the plant dies back, or if it’s been deliberately concealed by the seller, but a Japanese knotweed detection dog survey will identify its presence since the dogs are trained to detect the unique scent of knotweed rhizome beneath the ground.
4. Study your conveyancing searches
   Your conveyancing searches will highlight any problems with the land surrounding the property you plan to buy. It will look at local authority, environmental and water and drainage issues and will reveal important information. Although your conveyancer will highlight any concerns with the results, it’s important that you also read these through properly.
5. Don’t forget about the loft
   You might forget to pay much attention to the loft when buying a house. Don’t forget you can ask the estate agent questions on the loft and they can put these to the seller. Find out if the loft is insulated and there’s enough space if you do plan to have a loft conversion eventually.

Common Issues Found During Property Surveys

Depending on the level of survey you get, it should reveal crucial information on the property’s structure and condition. Some of the common issues that are found during a survey are as follows:

• Damp – The number one concern for most home buyers is damp. This will be flagged in your survey and can be treated by specialists.
• Cracks – Paint cracks are usually harmless, but your survey can confirm if they are hairline cracks or actual damage to the structure.
• Roofing issues – Your surveyor won’t go up on the roof but can give their best judgement by examining the exterior.
• Subsidence – Subsidence is another common worry for buyers. Your surveyor will highlight if the property is suffering or at risk of subsidence.