Potential house buyers will always want to know about a property’s condition.
But even if your property is in a bad state, this doesn’t mean no one will be interested.
It simply changes the type of buyers you might attract.
Many homeowners with a property in poor condition wonder if they can sell their house as is without inspection.
Keep reading our blog below to learn more.
What is a house inspection?
A house inspection usually occurs before a property is sold. This phrase is used interchangeably with a survey in many cases.
There are several different kinds of house inspection. Common examples include:
- Condition reports
- HomeBuyer reports
- Full building surveys.
A qualified inspector or a RICS surveyor carries them out. They might be doing it on behalf of the bank lending money, a potential buyer, a local council, or another public organisation interested in the property.
House inspection goals
The goal of house inspections is to establish the condition and quality of properties. They look at issues such as:
- Structure
- Heating
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Water
- Sewage
- Fire and safety issues.
And more.
You must disclose all known faults with your property before selling it. This applies no matter who you sell it to.
If your buyer discovers issues further down the line, they could take action against you.
House inspections vs house valuations
A house inspection focuses on a property’s condition. The inspector often has no interest in the property’s value.
Meanwhile, a house valuation primarily looks at what the house is worth. Conditions (i.e., factors related to inspections) are relevant, but they are not the whole picture.
Reasons for a house inspection
1. Checking property condition
You often ask to complete a house inspection when buying a property.
It ensures the house is in the expected condition and is a sound investment.
3. Deciding deposit issues for tenanted properties
An estate agent might inspect a property on behalf of a landlord.
This often happens if tenants have been living there but have asked to get their deposit back when they are moving out.
The inspection is thus to ensure that no damage has been done to the house.
4. Compliance with relevant legislation
Local councils might order a house inspection to ensure you comply with the relevant legislation.
This often happens in relation to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as the room sizes cannot be too small, amongst other things.
It could also happen in relation to extensions that have possibly breached planning permission guidelines.
5. For lenders to collect information
Banks or building societies may want to inspect a house for a property they are lending on.
This will often be to confirm its valuation and reassure themselves that the property isn’t vulnerable to significant damage shortly.
This might be due to faulty electrics, a leaky roof, or a collapsing structure.
Can you sell a house as is without inspection?
It depends on who you are selling it to.
Some buyers will agree to sidestep the property inspection process, although this is rare.
Regular buyers
Regular buyers on the open market will almost always want to inspect your house. Their mortgage lender will often force them to.
Cash buying companies
A cash buying company sometimes agrees to buy your property without an inspection.
This will result in a very low offer, which is considered the worst-case scenario.
This is commonly seen when you have sitting tenants or squatters, and the cash buyer is thus unable to get inside to inspect it.
In other situations, getting access to your house to inspect it is impossible.
For example, dangerous wild animals live in the building, or the structure has collapsed, and walking around the interior is unsafe.
Buyers at auction houses
Another time you might sell your house without inspection is at an auction house.
Most people bidding will be cash buyers, and although many will organise inspections before bidding day, not everyone does.
How much does a house inspection cost?
On average, a house inspection in the UK costs anywhere from £100 to £300.
Details that affect the final price
The price of an inspection varies based on the level of detail you’re looking for.
Some will give a brief summary of the property’s condition and estimated value.
Others will look in-depth at the home’s central systems, such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing. They then identify issues and recommend improvements.
How long does a house inspection take?
A typical house inspection takes up to one hour to complete. Hopefully, it won’t disrupt your day too much.
You should then receive your report within a couple of weeks maximum. For the less detailed inspections, it could arrive much quicker.
