Poor advice or negligence by a Surveyor?

We are an award-winning team of solicitors who specialise in professional negligence and financial mis-selling claims. We use our many years of experience and knowledge in this area to obtain and scrutinize relevant documents from financial advisers, stockbrokers, CFD providers and other associated entities.  Using our specialist knowledge of the law of contract and negligence we identify any grounds for action. We submit written complaints, detailing every allegation and are successful in most of our cases.

If a surveyor or valuer has missed defects or misled you as to the true condition of a property, it could cost you thousands to rectify the problem and your property may be worth less than the price you paid for it.

You can look to recover the difference between the true market value of the property and the price you paid for it, taking into account all associated costs of repair. We can investigate and advise you on the amount your claim is worth

We offer an absolute and guaranteed No Win, No Fee agreement, it’s that simple. If successful, we take a fee of up to 20% (plus 4% VAT) * Of the award of compensation. If unsuccessful, our clients pay us nothing.

For the majority of people, a property purchase will be the biggest financial transaction of their lives. In nearly all cases, some form of survey will have been carried out to comment on the property’s condition before a legally binding contract is entered into between the buyer and seller.

As a bare minimum, the surveyor who conducts the survey is under a duty to identify and report on major issues that affect the property value. If the surveyor misses a defect on the property, or fails to otherwise report accurately on the property’s condition, you may have grounds for bringing a No Win, No Fee claim for professional negligence. Surveyors and valuers typically have indemnity insurance to cover the cost of such claims.

It could cost you thousands to rectify and repair a defect or issue that you were not made aware of by the surveyor. Your property may also be worth considerably less than what you paid for it and you may have lost the opportunity to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price to take into account the defects and repairs required.

There are many conditions and defects which should ordinarily be identified by a surveyor and which can affect property value if missed including;

• Rot and dampness
• Unlevel flooring
• Subsidence
• Weak joists
• Sagging ceilings
• Defective plastering
• and many others

You may have grounds for a claim even if you have not instructed the surveyor directly. For example, if the property purchase is being funded in any way by a mortgage, then it is normal for the mortgage lender to arrange a survey to determine the property value. The cost of this is then paid by the borrower. A purchaser may also instruct a surveyor directly to comment on further issues such as structural integrity.

The duty of care owed by the surveyor will vary depending on the type of survey performed, but at a bare minimum the surveyor should always identify and report on major problems that affect the property value. The different types of survey available are;

Valuation Survey

This survey will be required by virtually every mortgage lender in order to determine the property value and to ensure the amount being lent is acceptable. If the surveyor fails to identify major defects that affect the property value, then you may have grounds for a no win, no fee claim.

Home Buyer’s Survey

This is a more detailed report than a valuation survey and should identify any aspect of the property that does not comply with building regulations. It should also highlight any problems such as damp or subsidence and include advice on any repairs that are necessary. If you paid for a home buyers survey and such defects were not identified, we may be able to assist you with a No Win No Fee claim.

Building Survey

(Previously known as a Full Structural Survey)

This is the most thorough survey you can get. It should provide a comprehensive breakdown of the structure and condition of the property. It should list any defects and advise on repairs and maintenance. The surveyor should investigate all parts of the property including any loft space and under floorboards.

If you have obtained a full structural survey and your property requires any repairs that you were not previously informed about, you may have a no win, no fee claim against your surveyor for professional negligence.

If you believe a surveyor or valuer has;

• Failed to identify defects on your property
• Failed to advise on any necessary repairs or maintenance
• Caused you to suffer financial loss

or acted negligently in any other way, please telephone for free, without obligation advice on or fill in the short enquiry form on the right and we’ll call you back.

Are there different types of survey available?

Yes. There a three different types of survey available. These are a valuation survey, a home buyer’s survey and a building survey. The duty of care owed by the surveyor varies depending on the level of survey, but at a bare minimum the surveyor should always comment on major problems that affect the property value.

Can you help if I didn’t instruct the surveyor directly?

Yes. If you required a mortgage to purchase your property then it is almost certain that some form of survey will have been carried out. Your mortgage lender will have insisted on a valuation survey at the very least, and the cost of this will have ordinarily been passed on to you.

How much am I entitled to?

You can look to recover the difference between the true market value of the property and the price you paid for it, taking into account all associated costs of repair. We will fully investigate and advise you of the loss you have suffered.

What do we charge?

We offer an absolute and guaranteed No Win, No Fee agreement, it’s that simple. If successful, we take a fee of up to 20% (plus 4% VAT) * Of the award of compensation. If unsuccessful, our clients pay us nothing.

* We reserve the right to apply a deduction in more complex or higher risk cases of up to 30% plus VAT. Typical examples might be where there are multiple parties to claim against, where time limits for claiming may have passed or new areas of law are tested.

What if my claim has already been rejected?

We will still look at this for you. We have taken on and been successful in claims that have been rejected by a surveyor or their insurers.

Will I have to fill out loads of paperwork?

No, we will be able to do most of the necessary paperwork for you and we can obtain any relevant documents from the surveyor and from any other connected parties on your behalf. You will have to check the details of your claim before it is submitted, but we will assist you with this.

What do I do now?

Call us or email us. There is absolutely no obligation to proceed and if you tell us what’s happened, we will briefly explain if we think you have a claim and the procedure for filing a claim and the time limits that apply.