HOUSEHOLDERS and those looking to sell, buy or rent a property, can find out exactly what horrors it may be hiding, thanks to a pioneering new service.
The Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers (ISSE) Home Log Book is set to revolutionise the property industry by providing the most in-depth, detailed examination of a property ever available.
People planning to improve their home, buyers wishing to purchase a property and tenants preparing to sign a lease will all benefit from the scheme, which uncovers hidden, internal as well as external, problems, such as toxic mould, not covered in standard surveyors’ reports.
For an agreed fee, ISSE trained and certificated surveyors carry out a thorough examination of a property to establish if hazardous decorative or structural materials have been used, determine the adequacy of ventilation, identify security features and examine the likelihood of external environmental impact, such as flooding.
The ISSE then issues the client with a full breakdown and report on the interior and exterior of the property, identifies what remedial work is required and can even provide quotes from professional tradesmen for the cost of carrying it out.
The ISSE Home Log book is then stored on a cloud-based system, along with supporting documents and guarantees, providing an easy-to-access paper trail showing what work has been carried out, when and by whom.
William Kidd, Chairman and Fellow of the ISSE – which aims to improve standards and training within the industry - said: “House buyers will be able to see at a glance what needs doing to a property and gain immediate access to documents and guarantees in relation to historical repairs and improvements.
“This will speed up property transactions because, for the first time, everyone involved in the sale or purchase will have access to accurate and updated information.
“In addition the Home Log can be used by tenants to prove there are no underlying issues with the property, such as damp. It will also give householders a reputable breakdown of any home improvements they wish to carry out with quotes from reputable tradesmen, meaning they are no longer at the mercy of cowboy builders.”
Further information about the ISSE and the Home Log Book, which is operating as a pilot scheme at present prior to being rolled out across the UK, can be obtained by calling the ISSE on 0800 136779 or visiting its website at www.isse.org.uk.
