Homebuyer Report
A Homebuyer Report is a type of building survey.
Building surveys are a means of providing a detailed evaluation of a property’s condition. They may also be prepared for individual homeowners, home buyers, or for investors in property portfolios to help inform future investments.
HomeBuyer Reports were introduced in 2009, and follow a format specified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They are sometimes referred to as a Homebuyer Survey.
They are one of three types of survey specified by the RICS, that can be undertaken by RICS Chartered Surveyors:
- Condition Report. The lowest cost option, describing the condition of the property and highlighting any urgent defects.
- HomeBuyer Report. The most common survey, providing more detail regarding the condition of the property.
- Building Survey. The most comprehensive report, intended for larger or older properties, or where major works are being planned, and providing an in-depth analysis of condition and advice on defects.
Homebuyer Reports are intended for conventional, newer homes in reasonable condition. They are not exhaustive studies, but should identify major or urgent issues as well as areas that might be investigated further.
They can be useful for identifying problems or providing reassurance about the possible purchase of a home, and can provide useful information for negotiations, which might result in a reduction of price, or the vendor undertaking repairs.
There are two types available:
- HomeBuyer Report (survey). This includes all the features of the RICS Condition Report and provides advice on defects repairs, and ongoing maintenance.
- HomeBuyer Report (survey & valuation). This includes all the features of the HomeBuyer Report (survey) and also provides a market valuation and insurance rebuild costs.
However, home surveys have been criticised for containing a number of exclusions, such as areas that it was not possible to access, as well as caveats that mean they do not always give the reassurance that was being sought.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building survey.
- Condition Report.
- Consumer Code for Home Builders.
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Ecological survey.
- Ground investigation.
- Home information pack.
- Home report.
- How much does it cost to sell my home.
- Investment Property Databank (IPD).
- Property valuation.
- Reservation agreement.
- Site appraisals.
- Site surveys.
- Soil survey.
- Surveyor.
- Vendor survey.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.