What survey do you get done on a flat?

[Biwurlu]

I'm buying my first flat. I've had home buyers surveys before on houses and they've been pretty useless. Just saying obvious things.

The flat is 30 ish years old and seems in a good state of repair, communal areas tidy and clean and other flats have sold in the last couple of years for market level prices.

Is there a different survey for a flat? I don't need a mortgage but 500 for a homebuyers survey seems unnecessary but thw flat is about 400k so I obviously don't want to take any chances!

Anyone?

As I understand it there are usually three types of surveys:

• valuation: for the mortgage provider to be sure the property is worth what the estate agent thought
• homebuyers: surveyor takes basic look around for any nasties but doesn’t disturb anything to look, eg lift carpets, go on the roof or anything similar
• full structural: more thorough look at building.

I’ve bought several flats and used to get a homebuyers, but given that they flag most stuff red and say “couldn’t test so may be an issue” or similar, I didn’t even do that last time.

If you are inexperienced or nervous - homebuyers will point out obvious things like asbestos, or a wall falling down.

But otherwise you’d probably spot this stuff yourself, and they don’t review anything structural outside a flat anyway.

Hi @Biwurlu when I was buying a flat I was advised by two different surveyors to get a homebuyers report as they often aren't able to access a lot of areas that a full survey would provide, such as the roof. I would ring a couple and ask them what they advise, they are normally willing to help.