More than seven in 10 property professionals are in favour of pre-sale surveys, new research by Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) has indicated.

When quizzed whether the new Government should legislate for pre-sale surveys to speed up the homebuying and selling process, 71% of respondents to a poll stated their support for such legislation, while 29% were not in favour.

The CSS poll also explored the practices of brokers and lenders and revealed that 21% do not explain the difference between a valuation and a survey to borrowers, which the group suggested is an area that needs to be “urgently addressed”. In contrast, 79% stated that they did clarify this important distinction.

In terms of actively recommending borrowers to instruct a home condition survey, 39% of property professionals stated that they do this every time, with 36% saying sometimes, 12% suggesting that this was not something for everyone, 9% replying never, and 3% saying they hardly ever actively recommend home condition reports.

The responses emerged at the CSS regular webinar series with over 300 people actively engaging with the session.

The session was hosted by managing director at CSS, Matthew Cumber, who commented: “It’s clear from these results that the industry sees significant value in pre-sale surveys as a means to help streamline the homebuying and selling process. By providing buyers with as much up-front property-related information as possible will provide greater levels of transparency and efficiency during such a complex and emotive process.

“There remain many barriers to overcome from a consumer perspective but many of these can be addressed relatively easily via education and advice. As such it underlines the importance of everyone involved in the process conveying the right information and messaging around surveys and helping consumers make informed early decisions about the property they are buying.”

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