The RICS introduced the Homebuyers Report. It is a method of minimising risk for purchasers. It provides buyers with enough information to make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to proceed with their purchase.

The report is quite lengthy, usually in the region of 25 pages, it is divided into sections as follows:-

•  Introduction to the report
• About the inspection
• Overall opinion and summary of the condition ratings
• About the property
• Outside the property
• Inside the property
• Services
• Grounds (including shared areas for flats)
• Issues for your legal advisers
• Risks
• Valuation
• Surveyor’s declaration

Property related risks are also identified in the report. In addition the report contains both a current market value and the cost of re-instatement for insurance purposes.