Surveyor not sent written report
Discussion
I had a surveyor come and look at a few things in our house at the start of the year, for a fee of £360. The visit was fine but he still hasn't sent through a written report despite having it in an email before payment that he would do this. Fobbed off on the phone a few times, and has stopped responding to emails and a recorded delivery letter (on the advice of RICS). Wrote to RICS Complaints too but have a feeling they're going to be a bit toothless.
My understanding is the cost of a surveyor is partly due to advice being backed by a professional body and insurance, whereas at the moment I've paid £360 for a guy to come round and go 'Yeah, that's fine'. If anything happens in the future I want a record of a satisfactory survey. No idea why the guy won't send it, maybe he's deleted all his records.
Any suggestions on further approaches?
My understanding is the cost of a surveyor is partly due to advice being backed by a professional body and insurance, whereas at the moment I've paid £360 for a guy to come round and go 'Yeah, that's fine'. If anything happens in the future I want a record of a satisfactory survey. No idea why the guy won't send it, maybe he's deleted all his records.
Any suggestions on further approaches?
If he confirmed in writing that he would provide a written report then he must do so, and even if he did not it would be a reasonable expectation. Even then he's be foolish not to as you might have misunderstood his verbal advice, take the wrong action (or inaction) and then have a bigger claim against him. I suggest you complain the to property ombudsman as the surveyor will have to comply and pay the £275+vat the ombudsman will charge him. That should bring him to his senses.
This one? https://www.tpos.co.uk/
Looks like it's for estate agents only, and they only take complaints about their registered members anyway. RICS confirmed the surveyor was one of their members, but their focus on the phone seemed to be 'ignoring correspondence' rather than 'not doing what they were paid to do'.
Could I go to small claims to claim back the difference between what I paid and an hourly rate for a visit (which is what I actually received)?
Looks like it's for estate agents only, and they only take complaints about their registered members anyway. RICS confirmed the surveyor was one of their members, but their focus on the phone seemed to be 'ignoring correspondence' rather than 'not doing what they were paid to do'.
Could I go to small claims to claim back the difference between what I paid and an hourly rate for a visit (which is what I actually received)?
If your contract (written or verbal) included the written report then I would be lodging a claim in the small-claims court for my total payment. His email seems to confirm the requirement for a written report. Give him written notice that he has 5 days to provide the written report or you will commence an action in the small claims court.
If he has promised a written report he should deliver one. There is absolutely no benefit to you of him inspecting the property but not doing the report so it should be all or nothing in terms of payment. Must admit £360 sounds quite cheap for a survey to me.
The RICS will not be toothless in this case so complain to them in writing.
The RICS will not be toothless in this case so complain to them in writing.
Write formally to head of the firm asking for a copy of the complaints handling policy. Copy in RICS Regulation if you like. There's sanctions if he does not comply.
Then follow the procedure..... There will be a third party organisation to handle complaints.
While RICS probably cannot make him send the report they can kick him really hard for not following the rules....
Then follow the procedure..... There will be a third party organisation to handle complaints.
While RICS probably cannot make him send the report they can kick him really hard for not following the rules....
ks !!Chrisgr31 said:
If he has promised a written report he should deliver one. There is absolutely no benefit to you of him inspecting the property but not doing the report so it should be all or nothing in terms of payment. Must admit £360 sounds quite cheap for a survey to me.
The RICS will not be toothless in this case so complain to them in writing.
Agree with this. The RICS will not be toothless in this case so complain to them in writing.
The RICS will deal with this if you engage with them.
£360 for a building survey sounds very cheap, though - what was the nature of the instruction?
ScotHill said:
It wasn't a full house survey, it was investigating some previous structural work and a few things that could be impacted by it.
It's been with RICS for 2 weeks and apparently they have up to 4 weeks to contact me, so will see what they come back with.
PredictionIt's been with RICS for 2 weeks and apparently they have up to 4 weeks to contact me, so will see what they come back with.
They will tell you to request complaints handling procedure and do nothing until you have followed the steps in it.
Then they wil get active
ScotHill said:
It wasn't a full house survey, it was investigating some previous structural work and a few things that could be impacted by it.
It's been with RICS for 2 weeks and apparently they have up to 4 weeks to contact me, so will see what they come back with.
As surveyor says, follow the process.It's been with RICS for 2 weeks and apparently they have up to 4 weeks to contact me, so will see what they come back with.
If that doesn't work, PM me.
ScotHill said:
The RICS got back to me, they've contacted him for ignoring correspondence and told him to get in touch with me within 7 days, but that's going to be the end of their involvement.
So if still nothing comes of it... small claims? How would that work?
Come back and tell us what happens in a week before worrying about that.So if still nothing comes of it... small claims? How would that work?
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