MAKING THE MOST OF THE HOMEBUYERS REPORT

The 'new' HomeBuyer Report was first made available in July 2009 and has been fully supported by a variety of commercial software packages since September of the same year. This session will critically review the HomeBuyer Report warts and all and will include:

• Typical adjustments to the sample phrases
• 'Difficult to rate' elements and how to tackle them
• How the HBR can be used to broaden your fee income
• How to reconnect with the public

THE NEW RICS CONDITION REPORT

The new RICS Condition Report is planned to be launched later this year and this session will give you an insight into the new report.

• Why is this new type of report needed?
• How it differs from the RICS HomeBuyer Report
• What is the market for this report?
• How can it be marketed and promoted?
• Future report developments

THE REPORTING OF RISK - EXPECTATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Section J of the HBR identifies risk as a separate heading for the first time, but does not change the surveyor’s obligation to consider risk elements in the course of the inspection and reporting. Whether considering radon, asbestos, the appropriate use of safety glass or means of escape, surveyors need to understand the scope and extent of their obligations in this area. This session aims to examine this in more detail.

• The identification and reporting of risk
• Risks to the property and risks to people
• Health & Safety considerations
• How far do you go?
• Are there different requirements for HBRs, Condition Reports and Building Surveys?
• PII implications

TOTAL RECALL – RECORDING YOUR INSPECTIONS ON VIDEO

·         Enhance your site notes with minimal effort

·         Using the ‘Third Eye’ to improve your reports

·         How to defend claims more effectively

·         Practical tips and traps from 15 years ‘behind the lens’

·         Handling data storage and confidentiality issues

·         Next steps for the You Tube generation
 

RICS RESIDENTIAL PROFESSIONAL TEAM UPDATE

A look at the work being undertaken by Professional Group staff in the residential field, including:

• Valuer Regulation and Accreditation

• Review of the Red Book Mortgage Valuation Practice Standard
• Advising mortgage lenders on innovative forms of construction
• Member involvement with RICS - policy & product development

CAN A GARDEN WEED MAKE A PROPERTY UNMORTGAGEABLE?

Summer is usually the start of the Japanese Knotweed silly season and this year is no exception. The refusal of a further advance by a bank to an existing customer captured the headlines in the media. But should invasive plants really make so much difference? The session will investigate how this problem will impact on the surveyor's role. The session will:

• review the type and nature of invasive plants in England and Wales
• describe how these can be controlled and eradicated
• consider what a 'reasonable' surveyor should be doing
• address how the issue should be reported to clients

The session will be fully illustrated by case studies and photographs.

Phil Parnham, Director, Bluebox Partners