RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (sometimes referred to as ‘HSV’ or a ‘Homebuyer’ report) is the leading survey form presently available in the residential home buying market. It’s been around for nearly twenty years in various designs, and has built a reputation for delivering a clear, comprehensive report for home buyers at an affordable price – with the authority of having been delivered by a fully qualified surveyor member of RICS.

The HSV is pitched above a standard Mortgage Lender’s Valuation Report, but below a bespoke and in-depth full Building Survey. It’s designed to be a mid-range inspection that offers a guide on value and highlights areas of urgent repair to home buyers. The report provides a valuation, a rebuilding cost (drawn from BCIS data) and spotlights issues that may affect the value of the property.

To enable flexibility in your delivery of RICS Homebuyer surveys, there are several ways that as an RICS member you can access the scheme.

• Stationary pads allow you to print or type directly on to the approved report format.
• A licence scheme is operated to allow you to set up your own electronic templates and produce HSV reports in your own office.
• A CD-Rom is available containing not only a dynamic electronic version of the report format, but also RICS-approved standard paragraphs and the ability for you to build your own library of custom phrases (please note that only members of the licence scheme can purchase the CD-Rom).
• You can purchase the book of RICS-approved standard paragraphs and apply these in your own reports.
• BCIS publish a guide to housing repair costs ordered by the RICS Homebuyer report headings allowing you to differentiate your reports by providing cost data alongside repair recommendations.

For more information on all of the above, please visit the RICS Books website.