Home Condition Reports

A Home Condition Report (HCR) can be included in a HIP as an authorised document. There is much belief that there will be significant benefits to home sellers if they top up their packs to include a HCR. Only Home Inspectors with a diploma in home inspection (Dip HI) are qualified to produce HCR’s.

The HCR, although voluntary, remains an important part of the (HIP). It is a very detailed, simple to understand, objective inspection report describing the construction and physical condition of a property. Buyers, sellers and lenders will be able to legally rely on the HCR as an accurate report. The report has condition ratings for the majority of its property parts along with an objective statement on defects found. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is contained within the HCR or can be made available as a separate document.

The Benefits of a HCR to a seller are:-

Sellers who provide a HCR will have an early opportunity to carry out repair work (if required) on the property or obtain quotes prior to marketing. This will reduce the chances of being confronted with any late surprises leading to re-negotiations and potentially, the breakdown of the sale. A seller can often be put under pressure to accept a reduction much larger than the cost of the works required to rectify the fault. The HCR also allows prospective buyers to know the condition of the property before they view it, resulting in less time wasting and less stress to endure. This should result in more viewings, leading to a quicker, smoother sale.

The Benefits of a HCR to a Buyer:-

Potential buyers can use the HCR to be made aware of the condition of the property before it is introduced onto the market, giving them more piece of mind and preventing them from being given unexpected repair bills. This will enable buyers to submit properly informed bids and in turn could reduce the time involved in waiting for an offer to be accepted . Data provided by a HCR can be fed directly into lenders automated valuation models, therefore in a substantial number of cases the cost of a separate lenders valuation survey can be avoided. As we are all aware, buying a property can be quite a stressful experience, this in turn makes the procedure less of a headache and minimizes the risks.

The HCR will comprise eight main sections, these are:

Section A- Introduction

Section B- General Information about the property

Section C- Other Matters, including: Health and safety issues etc

Section D- Exterior Condition, including: Walls, roof, structural stability, windows, water tightness and external decoration etc

Section E- Internal Condition, including: Walls, roof space, ceilings, floors, dampness, internal decoration etc.

Section F- Services, including: Electricity, gas, water, heating, drainage etc.

Section G- Grounds, Boundary Walls, Outbuildings and Common Facilities

Section H- Energy Report

Green Door Home Inspections Ltd can provide you with a full Home Condition Report.