Does a home survey cover the garden or boundary?
A RICS home survey is one of the most vital things you should do when moving house. It helps you identify problems with the property you’re interested in and the resultant impact. As such, it’s best to inspect the building as soon as possible in the buying process.
The garden and boundary are often key selling points of a property. Most people in the UK want more space and privacy, so the grounds can boost a home’s appeal and value.
But then it might be forgotten about. The garden might look nice, but what about Japanese Knotweed? Who is responsible for maintaining the boundary? Before exchanging the keys, you should know the answers to these (and many more).
Should a RICS home survey cover the grounds and boundary?
A RICS home survey covers the entire property. This includes everything outside and within the boundaries set out by the deeds. When you receive the report from the chartered surveyor, it will include detailed information about the boundary, the grounds, and everything it contains. This could include:
- Walls and retaining walls
- Large trees and shrubs and the effect on underground drainage and walls
- Patios
- Large substantial sheds
- Large substantial Summer houses
- Paths
- Steps and handrails
- Fences
- Timber decking
You should always ask your conveyancer to check the plot and the boundaries. If there’s any concerns or boundary disputes, then you can ask the Surveyor to look at this however they will need to be notified prior to the inspection. Most properties with a fenced rear garden are simple cases. You’ll most likely own all the space within the fences and one or two of the fence lines. Your neighbour(s) will be responsible for the other(s).
Common problems in property grounds
Property grounds aren’t usually a point of major concern. That said, they’re vital to check out. A surveyor might find signs of more serious issues at play, such as Japanese Knotweed, an issue with a substantial outbuilding or a large retaining wall.
From the grounds, the surveyor can also often get a good view of the roof, fascia and gutters. They’ll also take pictures. The final report will include these photos of any defects so you can see them for yourself.
Here are a few things you need to watch out for:
- Who owns which fence, and what condition are they in?
- Do any of the buildings show signs of asbestos?
- What’s the state of the driveways, walls and patios? (These can be very expensive to repair or replace)
- And so on
Are problems with the garden or boundary serious?
A home survey won’t usually find any serious issues with the garden or boundaries themselves. The report will recommend clarifying exactly where the property line ends, though. A surveyor might remind you of the money and time you might need to invest in maintaining a large premises with large trees and shrubs. They will also ask you to clarify with your conveyancer whether large trees have tree preservation orders (TPOs) as well.
The more severe problems in the grounds surround deeper issues like Japanese Knotweed and subsidence of large retaining walls. Japanese Knotweed is difficult to spot in the winter, but if the surveyor notices any evidence, they’ll let you know. Thankfully, the advice surrounding Japanese Knotweed has recently been updated, and it’s now less difficult to get a mortgage. However, you’ll still need an ongoing maintenance plan, which can be very expensive.
GB Home Surveys and how we can help
Every home survey our team completes includes thoroughly inspecting the garden and boundary. You’ll receive a report including photo evidence and written notes from the chartered surveyor. If there’s anything issues of note within the grounds, you’ll find it here.
GB Home Surveys has offices throughout the South-West and West Midlands. We also operate in South Wales. Our staff are all experienced chartered surveyors with a detailed knowledge of their local areas. If you’re moving within these areas or looking to relocate, we’d love to hear from you.
Unsure what home surveys actually involve? Check out our other blogs, or feel free to simply ask. We’re always happy to have a commitment-free chat with anyone considering getting a home survey. Get in touch with us using the contact form at the bottom of this page. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
