New surveying standards board launched

The Property Surveyors Standards Board is the result of a joint venture by three industry bodies.

The new Standards Board is expected to work alongside existing bodies and regulators within the surveying arena, but it will deal exclusively with surveyors who specialise in residential property.
It has been developed over the last six months by Surveyor and Valuers Accreditation, the Building Research Establishment and the the Residential Property Surveyors Association, who are all involved with the Home Condition Survey.

The HCS is a detailed and objective residential property survey that offers home buyers a comprehensive yet simple to understand report on the condition of the property they plan to purchase.

Andrew McColl of the RPSA commented:

“The formation of the PSSB marks an important step for our members. In its role as a standards board, the PSSB will enable the development of new surveying products and services, which our members will be able to offer to the home buying public.”

“The new body will be focused on working with wider stakeholders to develop a successor qualification for the existing Diploma in Home Inspection, while constantly looking at ways this can be adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs of the profession. This will allow us to ensure we always deliver the highest level of product and service.”

Chris Broadbent of BRE has also welcomed the formation of the board:

“We are delighted that we can offer the members of our scheme a positive future in surveying properties for homebuyers. We look forward to developing new products and qualification options.”

Hilary Grayson from SAVA added:

“We developed the HCS as a consumer friendly, jargon free survey to be produced by surveyors specifically trained in the product and its features. The PSSB will ensure that the HCS is subject to ongoing refinement and development, while supporting the development of new products, which will complement it.”

Chris, Hilary and Andrew are the Directors of the board for the PSSB and have been working closely together to create the necessary infrastructure and documentation. Scheme standards, product standards and technical standards have all been agreed, along with a comprehensive Code of Conduct.

They will now be working on a successor qualification to the DipHI. Completing the new qualification will enable those in the industry, who may have existing, complimentary qualifications, to conduct the HCS, without the need to complete the full, existing diploma.

The Home Condition Survey provided by RPSA members, through its specialist panel of
surveyors, is a detailed, comprehensive yet easy to read survey designed to help buyers assess the physical condition of a property and to identify any defects that may cause them to seek a reduction.