A new scheme to simplify the process of obtaining condition survey information before buying a new home has been welcomed by Scanlans Consultant Surveyors.

The firm hopes that the new HomeBuyer Report will encourage more homebuyers to commission a survey into the condition of a property before purchase.

The HomeBuyer Report, newly introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, uses colour coded ‘traffic light’ condition ratings, based on the surveyor’s professional judgement on the state of repair of most aspects of the property. A green rating indicates no repairs are necessary amber highlights non urgent defects that will need repairing or replacing in the future and red indicates serious defects needing urgent repair or replacement.

Simon Andrew, partner with Scanlans Consultant Surveyors LLP, said: “Only 10% or 15% of housebuyers commission a survey to find out the condition of their potential new home