Current Residential Property Issues 2025

The RICS HSS is more than 6 years old and following a major exercise in member feedback is undergoing a significant review to ensure it is fit for purpose – this conference will provide a brief update and confirm the anticipated date for publication.

One major issue that customers criticise surveyors about are the simple and obvious errors. This presentation will address:

• Fact checking and proof-reading your reports before you press ‘send’
• The mandatory HSS requirements you need to be doing to reduce the chances of a complaint
• What a good quality management system looks like and why you need one
• Examples of the ‘broader and deeper technical knowledge’ required by the HSS for many reports
• Structural movement protocols for above and below ground movement
• A case study demonstrating how to inspect, assess, reflect on and report about movement

Larry Russen, Chartered Building Surveyor, Consultant Russen & Turner and Allied Surveyors

Customer research confirms one of the three major defects that surveyors sometimes miss is a problem with their roof. This presentation will consider:

• Some different types of roof structures and how they perform, or don’t and why
• Examples of typical roof coverings (pitched and flat) and how they work in practice, and fail
• The effects of moisture on these elements and how to inspect and report appropriately
• The additional parts such as eaves, verges, ridges, flashings, valleys, parapet gutters
• Benchmarks of good practice available to us all in manufacturers and other literature and Codes of Practice
• A case study showing how to use this increased knowledge and understanding

 Larry Russen, Chartered Building Surveyor, Consultant Russen & Turner and Allied Surveyors

As technology advances, valuation is not immune from its impact. How have recent advances impacted on the world of valuation? Is this a benefit to us or does it bring greater and new risk?

• The explosion of available data
• The increasing sophistication of AVM
• The use of AI to drive valuation outcomes
• Can digital tools replace the inspection?
• The risks and opportunities technology brings
• Where next?

Fiona Haggett, Head of Valuation, Barclays UK

A growing issue is sweeping across the property market — homeowners are being bombarded with cold calls warning them about potential roof problems caused by spray foam and urging removal. Unsure who to trust, more and more people are turning to professional surveyors for credible, expert evaluation. As a trusted voice in property assessment, surveyors are uniquely positioned to offer independent roof monitoring services — giving homeowners peace of mind while opening up a new, value-added revenue stream. And it doesn't stop there: ongoing monitoring reports may soon become a critical component in securing mortgages, particularly as lenders grow more cautious around property condition. This talk will explore how surveyors can lead the way in this evolving landscape. Learn how to position your practice for this emerging need and turn a challenge into long-term opportunity. Geoffrey Hunt, Chartered Building Surveyor and Principal, Geoffrey Hunt Building Surveying Services

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was passed in the “wash-up” in May 2024. Including within it is a total change to the methodology of valuation for lease extensions and collective enfranchisements, yet most of those changes are yet to be enacted. In this talk Henrietta will explore:

• The new methodology
• What it might mean in practice
• Some possible interesting anomalies
• The timescale going forward

Henrietta Hammonds, Partner, Beckett & Kay

This talk will debunk some of the misinformation that has grown up around dampness in buildings to give surveyors confidence when giving advice to clients or evaluating specialist reports.

• We will examine about how buildings get wet and how they dry
• Consider the implications of excess water and how this relates to our moisture risk assessments
• Examine and demonstrate permeability, porosity and density of construction products and think about how these properties affect moisture performance
• Explore the importance of hygroscopic salt and how to find them and what to do when they are present
• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of electric moisture meters and discuss why they are a must have for every surveyor. We will also look at how to interpret what they may and may not be telling you
• We will see by example how free and bound watercan be measured on and off site and think about why this may be essential

Steve Hodgson, Principal Steve Hodgson Building Consulting Ltd

5.00pm CLOSE OF PROCEEDINGS