RICS Home Survey Standard Changes: how will this affect my digital surveying process?

New RICS Homebuyer Survey Standards set a clear best practice benchmark for the industry enforcing the highest standards in the residential sector.

On the 18^th November, RICS launched the new Home Survey Standard, following an industry and consumer consultation held earlier this year.

The mandatory standards have been designed to significantly increase consistency, transparency and competency across all residential surveying in the UK and will be set as a requirement for condition-based home surveys. The new guidance creates a benchmark for surveyors to design and deliver services that not only meet their clients’ needs but provide a set of standards the public can recognise and trust when carrying out home surveys.

Anthony Walker, CEO GoReport and fellow of the RICS said: “As a former surveyor the new guidelines are a welcome change. The higher standard report will help eliminate any confusion or inconsistencies for standards within the residential sector. The standardisation of a large amount of information is a step in the right direction and provides a more consistent approach for surveyors.

The new standard will provide confidence to consumers and chartered surveyors that they are using the best practice benchmark for residential surveying.”

So what do the changes mean in practice for Surveyors in the field?

GoReport data capture and reporting software has been producing RICS approved homebuyer report templates since 2014. The existing homebuyer reports fully comply to RICS accredited text and standards providing professional company branded reports in the exact RICS format.

Gavin O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, commented: “We are fully onboard and ready to embrace the latest RICS professional standards. We are in regular discussions with the RICS and have already adopted the proposed principles to release our own fully compliant version of the latest standard in line with the effective and mandatory June 2020 timeline.”

“We will be communicating regularly to our extensive customer base over the coming months on relevant changes. Training and support will be provided by our dedicated customer support team to help our customers feel confident making the transition so they can continue their valuable work with minimal disruption.”

Technology is more important than ever as mobile data capture and automated reporting can simplify the homebuyer survey process, improve quality and consistency and save considerable report writing time allowing surveyors to spend more time in the field.

If you are considering switching to digital surveying now is great time to investigate and deploy GoReport technology safe in the knowledge that we will guide you through the upcoming changes.

The new RICS Home Survey Standards are now available and can be found on RICS website https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/building-surveying/home-surveys/home-survey-standards/

The professional statement is effective from 1st June 2020.